Shelly PoV
I paused mid-bite into a large chunk of sandwich, glancing between the new arrival and Damien. "Friend of yours?"
Damien looked down at the table, not saying a thing.
The girl sighed and turned away, walking over to a different table.
I blinked. There was a weird tension between them. "Who was that?"
He sighed just like the girl had done earlier. "She's... my ex."
My eyes widened. She was the one that had cheated on him with Cassian? No wonder they both reacted the way they did.
"I see," I said softly, unsure of what else to say. The air around us felt charged with unspoken baggage, and I could sense Damien's discomfort. The remnants of my sandwich suddenly seemed less appetizing.
Damien ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I'd come to recognize as his way of dealing with stress. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of apology and resignation.
I shook my head. "It's okay. You don't have to explain anything to me."
He offered a small, grateful smile, but I could tell his mind was elsewhere. The encounter had clearly thrown him off balance, and I couldn't blame him. Running into an ex unexpectedly was never easy, especially under these circumstances.
Trying to lighten the mood, I took a sip of my chai latte and said, "Well, if nothing else, this latte is amazing. Definitely worth the visit, despite the surprise guest."
He smiled back at me. "Thanks, Shelly."
I tilted my head slightly, casually drinking my latte. "For what?"
He snickered, shaking his head. "You're a really good friend."
I smiled back. "So, where to after this?"
"Well," Damien said, leaning in. "How about I show you something special? It's my favorite part of the museum."
My cheeks heated up. Good thing he mentioned the museum, otherwise I might think he was flirting with me.
He chuckled as if aware of the misunderstanding he almost caused. Or maybe it wasn't a misunderstanding. Feeling self-conscious, I glanced over at his ex who was seated on the other side of the cafe.
"Lead the way," I said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my voice. I wanted to bring back the light-heartedness of our earlier conversation and help Damien leave behind the awkward encounter.
He stood up, offering me a hand. "My lady."
I blushed. This was normal for him, but I didn't want his ex-girlfriend thinking I was the rebound girl. Granted, it sounded like they had been broken up for some time now.
I accepted his hand, trying to push away any lingering thoughts of how this might look to Alicia.
As we walked, I could feel the tension in Damien gradually dissipate, the vibrant energy of the museum working its magic. He led me to a stairwell, and with each step upward, the anticipation grew. I could tell he was excited to share this part of the museum with me, and his enthusiasm was infectious.
When we finally reached the top, he pushed open a door to reveal a rooftop terrace. The view was breathtaking—a sprawling panorama of the city, the skyscrapers standing tall against a sky painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began its descent.
"Wow," I breathed, stepping out onto the terrace. The sight was nothing short of magical, a perfect backdrop to the moment we were sharing.
Damien leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I come up here when I need to clear my head," he said, echoing the sentiment he'd shared earlier. "There's something about being up here that makes everything else seem... distant."
I nodded, understanding what he meant. The world below seemed far away, its hustle and bustle muted by the quiet serenity of the rooftop. "It's beautiful," I said, turning to him with a grateful smile. "Thank you for bringing me here."
He grinned. "You're welcome. I'm glad you're here to share it with me."
My cheeks heated up. The way he spoke, it was diffirent from Cassian's yet it was no less flirty.
We stood side by side, taking in the breathtaking view as the sun continued its descent. The city below twinkled with lights beginning to flicker on, a testament to the life that buzzed within it. Up here, however, the world felt calm and still, as if time had momentarily paused just for us.
The sky slowly transformed into a canvas of stars, the first few already making their appearance as the vibrant colors of the sunset faded into twilight. I leaned against the railing, feeling the cool breeze on my face and the warmth of Damien's presence beside me.
"Ready to head back?" Damien asked after a while, his voice gentle in the night air.
I nodded, reluctant to leave but knowing we'd have more days like this, more sunsets to share. "Yeah, let's go."
We made our way back down, leaving behind the tranquility of the rooftop and stepping back into the vibrant energy of the museum. As we walked side by side, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the day, despite all the emotional ups and downs. It gave me some insight into Damien's head.
I gasped as he reached his hand out for mine. "What are you doing?"
He blushed. "Sorry, it's just, my hands are cold."
I narrowed my eyes at him and stuffed my hands into the pockets of my sweater. "Put them in your pants pockets then."
He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks still tinged with a bit of color. "Sorry."
I sighed. "You should find yourself a girlfriend to hold your hand if you're lonely. I'm sure a handsome rich guy like you can find one. Just be sure to dress nicely."
He snorted. "Is that your professional advice?" he quipped, a teasing glint in his eye. "Dress nicely and I'll find someone to keep my hands warm?"
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile. "Hey, I'm just saying, presentation is everything."
He shook his head and tapped his chest. "What matters the most is what's in here, the heart."
I couldn't help but smile at Damien's sincerity, even amidst our playful banter. "True," I agreed, nodding. "But a little style never hurts."
As we descended the last few steps, the museum's grand entrance came into view, bathed in the golden glow of the streetlights outside. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it had also been filled with laughter and unexpected moments of connection.
"Thanks for sharing your favorite spot with me," I said, turning to him as we reached the doors.
He gave a small, appreciative nod. "Thanks for coming along and making it special."
My cheeks warmed up again. He was so flirty but I wasn't even sure if he was doing it on purpose or automatically. Either way, he sure was a natural. Did he learn it from Grandpa?
I smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Now, let's go home."
He nodded.