Chapter 25 Boundaries Tested

• The afternoon sun cast a warm, dappled glow across the garden, and Celia sat alone, trying to read, though her mind had long since drifted from the pages in her lap. Every so often, her gaze would wander to Alexander’s study window, which faced the garden from the other side of the mansion. The tinted glass revealed nothing inside, but she couldn’t stop herself from stealing glances, hoping for any sign of him. After last night, the memory of his touch and his admission still lingered in her mind, a mix of excitement and confusion swirling together.
• Lost in thought, Celia didn’t hear Lucas approach until he was practically next to her. He sat beside her on the garden bench, looking over her shoulder with that all-too-familiar, teasing smirk.
• “You know, Celia,” he said with a laugh, his voice smooth and casual, “if you’re trying to be subtle, you might want to be a bit more careful. Staring at his window like that—it’s almost like you’ve got a crush or something.”