Emilia wasn't one to dwell on people—especially men like Jaden Knight. But days after the gallery opening, his words kept replaying in her mind like a song she couldn't turn off. Why does he get under my skin so easily?
Her plan was simple: stay busy, drown herself in work, and forget he existed. But, of course, the universe had other plans.
It was a Thursday afternoon when she spotted him again, standing at the corner of a new art installation. He wasn't blending in—how could he? Jaden had a presence that demanded attention, even when he was just standing there, scrolling through his phone like he owned the world.
"Seriously?" Emilia muttered under her breath. She debated walking the other way but decided against it. She wouldn't let him think he rattled her.
"Emilia Carter," Jaden said smoothly as she approached, slipping his phone into his pocket. His tone was casual, like they were old friends meeting by chance.
"Jaden Knight," she replied, keeping her voice neutral. "Didn't think this was your kind of scene."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what kind of scene is that?"
She gestured around at the colorful, abstract pieces on display. "The kind where people come to feel things. You don't exactly strike me as the emotional type."
Jaden smirked, leaning slightly closer. "And yet, you're the one who can't stop thinking about our last conversation."
Her jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"
"Don't deny it," he said, his voice teasing. "You're too curious not to have replayed it in your head."
"I—" Emilia started, but no words followed. He wasn't wrong, and that was the most annoying part. She shook her head, trying to regain control. "You're a piece of work, you know that?"
Jaden chuckled. "I've been called worse. But tell me, Emilia—why do you hide so much behind your art?"
There it was again—that maddening ability of his to dig right into the heart of things. She wanted to tell him to mind his business, but instead, she found herself asking, "Why do you care?"
"Because," he said, his tone softening, "you're interesting. Most people hide because they're scared. But you? I think you hide because you're waiting for someone to notice what you're not saying."
The words hit her harder than she expected. Emilia opened her mouth to reply but found nothing to say. He'd seen through her, and it was terrifying.
"Look," she said finally, crossing her arms, "I don't know what you think you're doing, but I don't need a therapist. So unless you're here for the art, maybe you should find someone else to analyze."
Jaden's smirk returned. "Fair enough," he said, taking a step back. "But for the record, I do appreciate the art."
"Really?" she said, unable to hide her skepticism.
"Absolutely," he replied, his eyes locking on hers. "Especially the artist."
Emilia's cheeks flushed despite herself, but before she could respond, Jaden gave her a nod and walked away, leaving her standing there with her thoughts—and an annoying flutter in her chest she couldn't explain.