Your stomach dipped when he came into view.

Dante waited in the foyer, his head bent over his phone. Hed adhered to the gala's 1920s theme. sleek three-piece charcoal tweed suit, matching newsboy cap, signature frown. “If you keep scowling, your face will freeze that way” you attempted a light tone, but it came out embarrassingly breathy.

His eyes ficked up.

"Very f-" The abrupt break in his sentence charged the air, as sudden as a lightning strike.

Your steps faltered, then halted altogether.

Every nerve ending sparked with awareness, as your gazes met.

Dante didn't take his eyes off you, but his attention somehow touched every inch of your body until it came alive.

"You look..”He paused, an unidentifiable emotion passing over his face. "Nice."

“Thank you." You swallowed. "So do you. The twenties suit you."

The corner of his mouth tipped up. "Thank you."

He held out his arm. After a brief hesitation, you took it.

Silence wrapped around you as you slid into the backseat of the waiting Rolls-Royce.

"How's work?" You asked when the silence stretched into uncomfortable territory. "I've barely seen you all week."

"Missed me?" Amusement lengthened his drawl.

"As much as a sailor misses scurvy." Surprise burst through you at his laugh. Not a chuckle, not a scoff, but an honest-to-God laugh.

The rich sound filled the car.

"You truly come up with the most flattering comparisons." His dry tone contrasted with the sparkle in his eyes.

Your stomach swooped.

The sight of a laughing, unguarded Dante was utterly catastrophic for you.

"It's a talent I honed growing up." you say, playing with your hands, "During boring social events, my sister and I played a game where we had to come up with a good animal comparison for each guest. Alice Fong was a rabbit because she only ate salads and was constantly twitching her nose. Bryce Collins was a donkey because, he was a stubborn ass, It sounds silly, but it helped us pass the time."

“I don't doubt it." Dante leaned back, "What would you liken me to?"