[Stacy Perez's POV]
Stacy is not nosy.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnaeltQrAE
She's observant.
And right now? Her observational skills are going feral.
She's sitting three tables away from Samantha Magtalas, queen of calm, and Ryan freaking Santillan, CEO, danger man, brooding boss—and they are...
ON A DATE.
Not just eating.
Not "oh, we happened to order the same UberEats."
Like, full-on table for two, candlelight, music playing softly, Ryan leaning in every five minutes like he wants to memorize Samantha's face.
She's gripping her wine glass like it's saving her life, laughing low, the kind of laugh Stacy's never heard at work.
And Ryan?
He's smiling.
Smiling. Like a man who's seen war and decided peace was a woman in a black dress across from him.
[Samantha's POV]
"Do you think they know?" she asks, eyes flicking around the restaurant.
Ryan lifts his glass. "I think Stacy Perez is live-tweeting this."
She snorts. "You're not wrong."
He leans forward slightly, his voice soft. "Let them talk."
"I'm not worried about them."
"Then what are you worried about?"
She doesn't answer right away.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKdd3RQxm3
Because the truth is—she's not afraid of being seen.
She's afraid of what comes next.
Of needing someone.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1as6D8DJX0
Of falling for someone who isn't Angelique.
But when Ryan reaches across the table, his fingers brushing hers, all those fears quiet down.
"I'm here, Sam," he says. "Not as your boss. Not as some guilt-ridden savior. I'm here because you make me want to stay."
She exhales.
And then—just like that—her hand is in his.
[Stacy's POV again]
Her phone vibrates.
JULES: Is it happening????28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsEMS2q07Z
STACY: Girl. I think he just touched her soul.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRG9OipHK1
JULES: Are you crying???28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRiYuR42gd
STACY: Shut up I'm EMOTIONAL. THEY'RE IN LOVE.
[Back to Samantha]
After dinner, he walks her to her car.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeFCVqUkg0
No pressure. No expectations.
Just... them.
And before she opens the door, she turns.
"Do you want to come in for coffee?"
Ryan smiles.
"I'd like that. But not tonight."
She tilts her head.
"Because if I walk through your door right now, I won't be able to leave."
Her breath hitches.
He kisses her forehead.
"Let's take this one step at a time, Samantha. I'm not going anywhere."
And for the first time in years, she believes it.
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs6ZbcaWfg
