Chapter 59

DAHLIA

The restaurant was alive with its usual morning hustle—coffee brewing, cutlery clinking, and the staff weaving through the dining area like clockwork. But for me, everything felt… different.

I even came to work earlier than usual. Thanks to Sebastian, I had a very nice night and a good sleep.

Sebastian hadn’t said much when I arrived. Just a look. One of those lingering, slow, teasing glances that made my breath hitch and my face burn. And then he had the audacity to smirk like he knew exactly what it did to me.

Which, of course, he did.

“Table six is yours,” he said casually as he passed by, brushing just a little too close, his hand grazing my waist. Not inappropriate. Just deliberate. Just enough to send a message. I turned around to glare at him, but he was already across the floor, pretending to be far too invested in the placement of a salt shaker.

Really? Why is he even here as if we’re short of staff?

I shook my head, fighting