Page 3

Reality is different, and life is far too short for me to fuck up what precious few relationships I do have outside the Suit. So I swallow down my feelings and focus on putting as much distance between them and me as I can until they leave me the hell alone.

I arrive at DeMarco's a little after nine and head straight to the counter. My date, Hailey, texts me as I arrive, apologizing that she's running late due to work and just leaving her apartment. As I type out a reassuring reply, fingers suddenly tap against my shoulder and then run along my back to the other, sending a tickle all the way down my spine.

"Cassian?" comes a soft, sweet voice that even now sends my heart into flutters.

"Sabina."

She dances around me, balancing a silver tray with her gorgeous gray eyes sparkling in the low light like two fallen droplets of moonlight. Several strands of her warm, chestnut hair frame her face while the rest is scooped back into a ponytail that swings back and forth while she walks around the counter and sets the tray down.

"Hungry?"

"Starving," I reply, and my mouth runs dry. "But I'm waiting for someone."

"One of your friends?" She flashes me her charming smile and unloads several of the plates from the tray.

We've eaten here enough times that Sabina knows us all by name, which is another reason I can't act on this crush. Life as a member of the Suit is crushing at times. A good place to eat is a lifesaver.

"No, I'm waiting on a date, actually." The words slip from me with a lick of sadness, as if I'm betraying her in some way. Meanwhile, Sabina's smile remains on her face and her eyes widen as she glances at me.

"A date?"

"Yup."

"Aw, look at you! How exciting!"

"Yup." Disappointment curls in my gut, though I can't settle on what exactly feeds such a sensation. It's not like there's ever been any sign that Sabina sees me as anything other than a friendly customer.

"Are you nervous? What's she like?"

"Nervous? Me?" I try to wave it off, but the warmth from Sabina always makes me feel like I'm talking to an old friend, so my façade doesn't crack. "I am nervous. I don't know anything about her."

"How did you two meet?"

"Dating app."

"Oh." Sabina's voice lowers. "That's interesting."

"Figured it was the best way to get out there, y'know?"

"Oh, of course!" She laughs softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. In my experience, dating apps are a curse, but that's just me. I'm sure you're going to have a lovely time."

"I will," I reply, watching her busy with the plates. "Are you… waiting tables?"

Sabina nods and her ponytail bounces. "We've got three staff out sick, and we're so short-staffed that I've had to reduce the menu so I can help out here. Sorry if that affects your date, but all the house favorites are still available."

"Everything here is always fantastic, Sabina. It won't be an issue."

Her smile widens and a flush of color warms the apples of her cheeks, then she quickly tucks some of her stray strands behind her ear. "I'm glad you think so. Anyway, I'd better get back to it."

Sabina quickly darts away and returns to the kitchen, and I nurse what's left of my smoothie and a handful of crackers offered by one of the other staff. Warm classical music floods the air, soft murmurs rumble through all the seated guests, and I wait for the arrival of my date.

And wait.

Only three groups remain in the restaurant by the time my phone lights up again with another text from my date.

[Hailey] God, I'm so sorry, I'm running so behind. How about we skip dinner and do drinks instead? Let's meet at Tabitha's Xx

I should have taken some of Valentina's pasta.