Clara
Julian's restaurant relaunched for the second time nearly a year after that first, disastrous evening, this time with no side entrances, no hidden alleyways, no photographers lurking with long lenses hunting for a scandal that no longer existed to be found.
"It's strange," Julian admitted, standing near the entrance in the final hour before doors opened, watching staff put finishing touches on table settings. "Last time, I spent the whole evening terrified. This time, I keep waiting for that same fear, and it just isn't there."
"Because there's nothing left to hide," Sebastian said, his arm settling around his husband's waist with the easy comfort of a man no longer bracing for consequences. "This is simply your restaurant, Julian, finally allowed to just be that, without any of i
