The soft chime of a bell rang above her as Caliste pushed open the door to the quiet coffee shop tucked between a florist and a bookstore. She needed space—space from the penthouse, space from Lucian, and mostly, space from her spinning thoughts.The café was warm, filled with the rich scent of roasted beans and cinnamon. She inhaled deeply. For once, she didn't want to think about marriage, scandals, or feelings she wasn't supposed to have.She just wanted a caramel latte and maybe a few minutes of silence.But fate had other plans."Cal?"She turned at the familiar voice and nearly dropped her purse.Jace.He looked surprised too, his coffee halfway to his mouth."Wow," he said, standing. "I didn't think I'd see you here.""I—uh—I didn't think you'd be here either," she said, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.He smiled, soft and friendly. "I guess we both have good taste in quiet places."She chuckled nervously. "Yeah. I needed a break."He motioned to the empty cha
Last Updated : 2026-03-07 Read more