Chapter 25. How About a Trip?

**Rae**

Eliza and I sit at the long marble table, in clothes the maids brought up. Everything smells like cinnamon and honey. I’m trying to pretend I don’t notice the way S keeps looking at me from the head of the table.

He’s doing that thing again — the soft stare. Not intense. Not smoldering. Just… quietly consuming. Like I’m some kind of puzzle he’s trying to memorize piece by piece.

Eliza leans closer. “If he stares any longer, your face is going to catch fire.”

I elbow her in the ribs. “Shut up.”

She grins, grabbing another croissant. “Not denying it though.”

Kieran saunters in, hair a mess, shirt half-buttoned like he just escaped a magazine shoot. He slaps S on the back. “You two are killing me with this slow-burn tension.”

S doesn't even blink. “Jealous?”

“Very.” Kieran throws himself into a chair and reaches across Eliza for the coffee pot. She smacks his hand away.

Before they can bicker, S clears his throat.