The gala wasn't exactly her scene, but Caroline insisted it would be a great way to reconnect with old friends—and maybe drum up some business. Lia smoothed the folds of her emerald-green dress and stepped into the grand ballroom, her heels clicking against the polished floors.
It wasn't long before she felt someone's gaze on her. A shiver ran down her spine. Turning slowly, her breath caught in her throat.
Ethan Rivers.
He stood across the room, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, holding a glass of champagne. His jawline was sharper than she remembered, his dark hair slightly tousled, but his piercing gray eyes were the same.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to thicken.
Lia quickly looked away, her heart racing. What was he doing here? Last she heard, he'd moved to the city, climbing the ranks in some prestigious architecture firm.
"Lia," a voice said from behind her.
She turned, and there he was, standing just a few feet away. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—surprise? Pain?—in his eyes.
"Ethan," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside her. "Long time no see."