(Damian)
We slipped out the side door and into the cold air after everything settled a bit. Alina let out a breath like she’d been holding it all night.
"Finally," she said, shaking her head. "If one more person told me how stunning I looked, I might’ve thrown a punch."
I laughed. "You are stunning."
She gave me a look. "You have to say that."
"Don’t," I said. "I mean it."
Her lips twitched like she was trying not to smile.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen. Work.
"Give me a second," I said. "I need to take this."
She nodded. "I’ll wait."
I stepped a few feet away and answered. "Yeah?"
It was one of my managers. Something about a shipment delay. I tuned it out, giving quick answers, my eyes still moving back to Alina. She was leaning against the wall, arms cr
