- Aria -
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart raced, not from the dance that had left my body exhausted just two days ago, but from the anticipation of dinner with Jean-Julien. I hesitated for a moment, smoothing down the soft fabric of my navy dress that hugged me in all the right places—casual yet elegant enough for what I hoped would be a memorable evening. To distract myself, I glanced at the array of accessories strewn across my vanity: a delicate gold necklace, my favorite pair of earrings, and a silver bracelet that was a gift from my mother last Christmas. Decisions, decisions.
I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the laughter and chemistry we shared during our talks, the
