The party was loud behind them bass thudding, laughter bouncing off the glass and gold of Toppers overpriced house. But the balcony was still, lit by the soft spill of pool lights and the shimmer of ocean just past the dunes.*

Sofia leaned closer, her elbow brushing Rafe’s as she sipped from her drink. “You always this quiet at parties?”

Rafe didn’t answer right away. His hands were on the railing. His eyes on the beach.

“You waiting on someone?” she teased.

Still nothing.

Then finally, she asked, “Have you ever been in love?”

He blinked. Turned his head halfway toward her.

“Yeah.”

She smiled like she was winning something. “How many times?”

He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t blink. Just said it flat. Honest.

“Once.”

Sofia laughed like she thought he was joking. Until she looked closer.

And then she followed his gaze.

There. Just off the edge of the deck lights. Bare feet in the sand, black velvet heels dangling from two fingers. Gun still strapped to her thigh like she owned every inch of the night and didn’t give a damn who knew it.

She wasn’t trying to be seen. Wasn’t waiting on anyone. She had walked out there to breathe. To be alone. But Rafe?

He was already moving.

“Where are you going?” Sofia asked, voice too high.

Rafe didn’t look at her.

“To my once.”