Page 81 of Symphony for Lies

Zane wasstanding on our porch, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his dark hair slicked back except for a few stray strands.And in his hands, he held two bouquets.

My heart skipped a beat.

His smile was soft, almost uncertain, yet there was a boldness in the way he stood there, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to just show up unannounced.

The man looked breathtaking.

“Hi.”He stepped forward, offering the first bouquet, a colorful assortment of wildflowers, to my grandmother.“For you.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, what a charming young man!” To my surprise, she snickered, “Who would’ve thought you’d be the one to bring flowers?”

Zane grinned, effortlessly slipping into his usual demeanor. “I couldn’t just wait around to receive them, could I?”

He turned to me, and his entire expression changed.His smile softened into something intimate, with a quiet, dangerous warmth that weakened my knees.“If I want the most beautiful flower in town, I should probably bring some myself.”

I reached out and took the bouquet of deep red roses, feeling the warmth of his fingers brush against mine.

“I’d like to take you to dinner.”

My grandmother crossed her arms, arching a brow.“And where exactly would you be taking my granddaughter, hmm?”

Zane met her gaze head-on, completely unfazed.“To Aria.”

Aria. Ella’s family’s restaurant.

That name again…

Grandma had a completely different reaction than me. Her eyes widened in shock. “The most expensive restaurant in town?!”

Zane shrugged as if it was nothing. “Only the best for Amelia.”

I could feel my grandmother’s stare, and I fumbled for an excuse. I already ate, I’m tired…

“Oh, hush, girl.” She waved me off. “Go get dressed.”

Zane’s lips twitched, clearly amused.

I turned to protest, but my grandmother cut me off. “Why are you still standing here?” She took the roses from me. “Go upstairs and get changed.”

My cheeks burned as I glared at her, but she only winked.

Zane was full-on smirking. “I’ll wait here.”

I let out a slow, shaky breath and turned to head upstairs.

As I rummaged through my closet, one thought hit me like a thunderbolt.I’m not in control anymore.

The city lights streaked past us like blurred constellations, painting the windshield in neon hues. The open window let in cool night air, but the heat inside me refused to fade.

My stomach tightened as I thought about where we were headed. Aria.

Since my grandmother told me about Ella’s unexpected visit to her shop, something had been gnawing at me.

It was too strange.

Even more unsettling was that Mr. Cole had been the one to recommend her. Mrs. Cole’s husband. The woman who barely concealed her disdain for me.

It didn’t add up. Ella and her family weren’t the kind of people to walk into a small, humble shop. They thrived in a world of exclusivity, luxury, and untouchable status.