Chapter 66

• The soft sound of pages turning and the occasional murmur of quiet conversation filled the small bookstore. Jane loved this place—the cozy shelves packed with books, the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the adjoining café, and the comforting silence that always made her feel grounded. She wandered through the fiction section, her fingers brushing the spines of the novels, searching for something to catch her eye.
• “Looking for a self-help book on judging people too quickly?” a familiar voice drawled behind her.
• Jane froze, recognizing the voice immediately. She turned slowly, already bracing herself for whatever quip he’d throw her way. Sure enough, there he was—Luca Romano—leaning casually against the edge of a nearby shelf, his dark eyes glinting with amusement.