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Leaving them to their own devices for a moment, Adrian turned me slightly to Lukas. “You’ve been introduced?” he asked the both of us.

I nodded, smiling at Lukas. “It’s good to see you, again.”

Lukas threw an arm over Daphne shoulders, who looked up at him with unabashed adoration. “I’m glad it’s under better circumstances.”

“Which circumstances are you referring?” I asked. “The Harvest Moon Festival or your wedding?”

Lukas laughed, both events clearly evoking fond memories. “The festival. We didn’t get a chance to speak at my wedding.”

“You say that like you didn’t run out with Daphne in tow an hour into the reception,” Adrian cut in. I hadn’t even noticed them leave. Becausesomeonewas too busy dragging me onto balconies and propositioning me with a fake relationship.

Lukas looked down at Daphne, like she had the response to Adrian’s statement.

“My fault,” she said. Well, apparently she did. “I made him a deal that we could leave after an hour.”

“In exchange for?” I asked before I could draw my own conclusion as to what, exactly, they were doing.

My thoughts were confirmed by the raise of Daphne’s eyebrow. “Nothing.” Yeah, I’m sure it wasnothing.

“Well, as much as I’d love to discuss what happened on your wedding night,” Adrian said sarcastically, “We have something slightly more pressing at hand.”

Everyone sat around the coffee table at that, with Rose and Dominic taking one couch, Lukas and Daphne another, and Adrian and I the last. Persy had poured herself some tea while the introductions were made and sat on the floor, nestled under the table and breaking apart a biscuit.

No one offered her a seat, which made me think that was a regular occurrence.

A flash of something caught my eye and I looked over to find Daphne shooting me a look. One that after years of friendship I knew meantwhat are you doing?

I could feel my brows creasing as I tried to figure out what she meant. Then I saw the wide space she’d left open on the couch she was sitting on with Lukas. They were tucked into one side, leaving the other open.

For me. Because Daphne was the type of friend to silently offer her support if I needed it.

And I’d sat down next to Adrian, so close that when his arm descended on the couch behind me, my hair slipped over his forearm and hand.

I gave Daphne a small smile and subtle shake of my head, thanking her but not moving. I only hoped it covered up the embarrassed blush I could feel warming my cheeks. If Adrian noticed, then I just hoped he thought I was doing it in case we were keeping up the ruse in private company.

Not because my instinct was to view him as the safest corner of the room.

I had to remind myself that wasn't supposed to be the case. Because he would probably douse the warmth in my life I’d worked so hard to protect with his cold emotion.

I shifted and crossed my legs, smoothing my hands over my pants and the too-warm skin underneath, fighting for an ounce of composure as my heart pounded against my ribs.

“Anyone need anything before we get started?” Adrian asked the room, right as two people brought in trays filled with coffee, tea, and an assortment of pastries. With a quick nod and a thank you, they left us to our own devices.

Lukas looked at Persy. “You make those?”

“Hmm?” Persy asked, clearly too focused on dunking her biscuit in tea to have heard him. Then she squinted at the pastries on the table. “Oh no, not those.”

“You have anything floating around?” he asked. My brows creased in confusion for a second. I’d never heard Persy talk about baking once in our friendship. Maybe it was a new hobby.

But if my read on her was correct, it made little sense.She would probably find the need for careful measuring tedious and the wait too long.

“Lukas,” Adrian cut in with warning in his voice. “You have a problem with the food in my house?”

“Of course not,” Lukas said, standing to grab a muffin off one of the trays. “Your sister is just quite talented.”

“You’ll survive,” Adrian shot back. Then he turned to me. “Want anything?”

I shook my head, my limbs feeling too shaky to deal with any more caffeine.