Rhea’s pov
I didn’t know long I was staring for. Until—
“You’re staring,” Elliot said lightly, nudging my knee under the table. “Try not to scare them.”
I smiled at him. An easy smile. The kind that keeps questions away.
“I’m listening,” I said.
Across from me, Ivy froze for half a second.
Not because of Elliot’s words. Because my eyes were already on her.
I noticed Ivy the moment we sat down.
Not in a casual way. Not in a polite way. It was In a way that felt very sharp and clear. It was like my body had already decided even before my mind could.
She sat straight, shoulders relaxed, confidence worn like something natural. But there was restraint too.
The way she even laughed felt very careful. The way she chose her words too. And under everything, there was something that did no
