Chapter 70

Maya’s POV

“Here’s your order, ma’am. Enjoy your meal.” The waitress gently set down our plates, the soft clink of utensils mingling with the restaurant’s murmur. Across the table, Elias and Gabriella immediately dove into an animated conversation, as though no time had passed since they last spoke. After running into each other on the street a little while ago, Elias had cheerfully invited his old friend to join us for lunch.

I’d known Gabriella Torres only by name—Elias’s neighbor and schoolmate from years before he’d changed his name to Elias Hart. Back then, she’d been in eighth grade while he was still in fourth. Now, here she was again, picking up exactly where they’d left off.

“I can’t believe I’m sitting across from Elias Gonzalez, the golden boy,” Gabriella exclaimed with an affectionate grin.

“Please, not