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Lorenzo hesitated. He looked away.

Krystal’s heart sank a little. ‘I knew it... Esther will always be his priority.’

Krystal placed her glass down gently, her voice quieter this time. “Please don’t bother me again.” She stepped past him and began walking away.

“Krystal,” he called, his voice low.

She stopped.

Lorenzo’s fingers tightened around his glass. His whole body was tense. “If you want to stay away from me, I’ll respect that. But if you still feel something for m—”

“It doesn’t matter anymore, does it?” she interrupted softly. Her voice was steady but tinged with sadness. “Lorenzo, we’ve already parted ways. Please keep your word and keep our worlds separate. I hope you and Esther have a long, happy life together.”

She turned and walked away without looking back.

Suddenly, Kara appeared in the hall, visibly flustered, her gown swaying as she rushed up to people.

“Have you seen Astra?” she asked one person after another. “She was supposed to be here. Did you see her?”

Most people shook their heads, unfamiliar with Astra’s face. Kara didn’t realize only a handful of people could actually recognize her.

“Where did she go?” Kara muttered anxiously, scanning the hall.

Krystal spotted her and froze. Panic kicked in. If Kara saw her now, she’d call her out in front of Lorenzo—and everything would come crashing down.

Without thinking, Krystal spun back toward Lorenzo, rushing up to him and wrapping her arms around his waist. Her face was buried in his chest.

He blinked down at her, surprised. “What now?” he asked flatly. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t want anything to do with me?”

Her eyes flicked toward Kara, who was still nearby, searching. “Please don’t talk,” she whispered urgently.

Lorenzo smirked slightly, then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close—one hand on her waist, the other cradling the back of her head.

“So, Michael was right,” he murmured. “You really are trying to get close to me again. Because you love me.”

Krystal stayed quiet, hiding in his chest.

Kara glanced around a final time and, not seeing Krystal anywhere, walked off in another direction.

Krystal slowly stepped back from the hug, but Lorenzo didn’t stop. His hand lingered, fingers gently caressing the back of her head.

“If you’re willing to wait,” he said softly, “let me sort out the Esther situation first and then we can talk about you and me.”

He leaned in, slowly closing the distance, lips nearing hers.

But she dodged him at the last second, her gaze flicking over his shoulder as she spotted Kara disappearing down the hall.

“Yeah, great. Thanks,” she blurted quickly, brushing past him to follow.

Lorenzo stood there, surprised at first. But then chuckled under his breath, smug.

Moments later, Michael and Xander joined him.

“What happened?” Michael asked.

Xander just grinned, catching Lorenzo’s expression.

Lorenzo dropped into a nearby chair at the bar, trying to act casual, but the happiness on his face gave him away.