CHAPTER 121

I was still buzzing from the unexpected kindness Sevi had shown last night, my mind replaying his warm smile and easy laugh as he drove me to my hotel. So when he suggested lunch, I agreed, curious about what more I’d find beneath his calm exterior.

When I met him in the hotel lobby, he greeted me with the same gentle smile that seemed to soften every hard edge in my mind. Dressed in a simple white shirt and dark jeans, he looked effortlessly put together.

"I hope you like cafes," he said, leading me to his car.

“I practically live in them,” I admitted with a grin. “Perfect place to escape without really going anywhere, don’t you think?”

He chuckled. "Then I know just the place for you.”

The drive was filled with snippets of conversation that made me feel like I’d known him far longer than just a day. It was easy to fall into step with him, and by the time we reached a tucked-away part of the city, I was utterly at ease.

The cafe Sevi had chosen was nestled between tall, vine-covered