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“I’m totally not.” She snickers.

“Anyway, we should go.” I separate from Cillian. “It was nice to meet you.”

He eyes the napkin in my hand. “Let me know when you get home.”

My heartbeats flutter so loud, I can almost hear them. “I will. Promise.”

His fingertips reach for mine, and this time when he lets go, he starts to turn. But at the very last moment, he pivots back around, grabs my face with both palms, and kisses me. All the air evaporates, and everyone ceases to exist. Right now, I don’t care if Konstantin finds out—if the whole world does—because it’s worth it.

“Damn.” Natalia’s voice seems almost distant while the kiss lasts forever, though not long enough at the same time.

“Now I can go.” His thumbs gently trace my cheeks while those eyes stare deeply into mine.

Then, just like that, he steps back, his warmth disappearing as he turns.

As I watch this stranger slip away, melting into the crowd, I can hardly believe any of this just happened.

* * *

“So, did you fuck him?” Natalia stares at me in the limo, while Alisa narrows her eyes, like this is an inquisition.

“Fine.” I raise my hands in the air. “I did, okay? I know you both have been dying for me to say it.”

“I knew it!” Natalia spins toward Alisa, her eyes wide with excitement. “Didn't I tell you?”

“She did. I had my doubts, but Natalia was certain you let the hot man pop your cherry. Was he good? Please tell me he was good.”

A smile crawls on my face. “He was amazing. Even better than that.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Natalia slaps me on my forearm, donning a huge grin.

“Too bad you won’t see him again.” Alisa sighs. “What a shame.”

“Actually...” I hesitate, watching as both of them stare at the napkin I just pulled from my handbag.

Of course, I’ve already saved his number in my phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw away the scrap of paper he gave me.

Natalia’s eyes expand. “You got his number! That’s my girl. Are you going to call him?”

“I’ll wait for him to call me first.”

I’m not about to seem desperate. If he wants me, he knows where to find me.

“Maybe he’s future-husband material. Imagine telling people how you met.” Alisa laughs.

“Okay, relax, Cupid. No one is marrying anyone. This is just a fling. Nothing more. You know very well I can never have a relationship with some random guy.”

“Never know…” Natalia wags her brows. “He may be from our world, and you just don’t know it yet.”

“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes, but in the back of my head, I wonder if she’s right.

The rest of the conversation turns to the guys they were talking to and how Natalia made out with one, but neither of them did anything else. Soon enough, Pavel drops them both off, and I make it home to Konstantin’s in about thirty minutes. The moment I arrive, I grab my phone, ready to send Cillian a message to let him know I made it, just like I promised.

But as I unlock my screen, I find a text from him already waiting.

Cillian

I can’t get you out of my mind.