The gala had ended hours ago, yet Ava Collins found herself unable to sleep. The gentle melody of the orchestra lingered in her mind, along with the memory of Liam Kingsley's hand resting against hers. It had been just one dance—innocent by any measure—but her heart refused to accept that it meant nothing.
By morning, she managed to convince herself that exhaustion was playing tricks on her. She arrived early at the office, hoping to bury her thoughts under piles of paperwork and schedules. But the moment Liam walked in, all her resolve crumbled.
He looked as composed as always—dressed in a crisp suit, his expression calm—but when their eyes met, a silent understanding passed between them. He remembered the dance too.
"Morning, Miss Collins," he said smoothly, though his voice carried an unexpected warmth.
"Good morning, Mr. Kingsley," she replied, forcing herself to concentrate on her computer screen.
For hours, they went through their routines with perfect professionalism, but an undercurrent of tension simmered beneath every glance and silence. When most of the staff left for lunch, Liam's door opened, and his voice came through the intercom.
"Ava, could you come in for a moment?"
Her stomach tightened. She stepped into his office and closed the door behind her. He stood by the window with the city skyline glowing behind him.
"I wanted to discuss next week's presentation," he started, but his tone lacked its usual precision. "Actually… that's not true."
Ava froze. "Then what did you want to discuss?"
He turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "Last night."
Her breath caught in her throat. "It was just a dance."
"Was it?" he asked quietly. "Because it didn't feel that way to me."
She tried to look away, but he stepped closer; his voice lowered now. "Tell me I imagined it, Ava. Tell me there wasn't something real between us."
Words escaped her as the space between them vanished. She felt the warmth of his breath and sensed the hesitation in his touch as his hand brushed against her cheek. For one suspended moment, time seemed to stand still—and then he kissed her.
It was soft and fleeting yet filled with everything they had both tried to deny.
When they pulled away, reality crashed back in.
"This can't happen," she whispered.
"I know," he replied heavily. "But it already did."
And as she exited his office with her heart racing, Ava realized that nothing would ever be the same between them again.