Page 105 of Shattered By Grace

But all thoughts of Tristan scattered the second she stepped out and took in their surroundings.

The restaurant wasstunning.

Exposed brick walls, softened by hanging florals, gave the space a warm, intimate feel. Soft lighting bathed everything in a golden glow, flickering against ivory tablecloths and candlelit centerpieces. It was effortlessly elegant, the kind of place that made you forget the world existed beyond its walls.

Victoria let out a breath. “Tristan, this place is stunning.”

As they approach the table, Tristan, ever the gentleman, pulls out Victoria’s chair. But just as she moves to sit, he leans in, his lips brushing just close enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"You look sinful in that dress, love," he murmurs, voice dark as whiskey. "If I wasn’t trying to behave, I’d find a much better use for that bow at your back."

Victoria nearly chokes, her breath catching as she grips the edge of the table. She recovers quickly, though, she has to, and shoots him a look, lifting her chin.

"Behave? You?" She scoffs, fighting the heat creeping up her neck. "I’d love to see you try."

Tristan just smirks, sitting across from her with a knowing look, like he’s in no rush to prove her right.

Chapter Forty-Seven

As the conversation flowed, Victoria found herself... relaxing. It was unnerving, really. She’d never done this. Never sat across from someone in a candlelit restaurant, letting herself feel wanted without a hidden agenda or an underlying threat.

Tristan noticed the shift, tilting his head as he studied her.

"What’s going on in that head of yours?" His voice was quieter, all the teasing stripped away.

Victoria hesitated, running a finger along the rim of her glass. "I’m just…this isn’t normal for me."

"A man taking you to dinner?"

"A man wanting to take me to dinner." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she immediately regretted how raw they sounded.

Tristan didn’t laugh. He didn’t smirk. Instead, he reached across the table, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. His grip was steady, grounding.

"Then let’s get one thing straight, love. There’s nothing normal about me." His voice drops lower, darker. "And there’s nothing about you that deserves anything less than this."

The intensity of his gaze made her breath again, but before she could respond, his phone buzzed. His entire expression shifted slightly, but enough that she noticed.

"I need to take this." His fingers squeezed hers once before he pulled away, standing from the table.

The second Tristan disappeared toward the back of the restaurant, Victoria took a slow breath, forcing herself to settle.

But she didn’t get long.

"Well, this is unexpected."

The voice dripped with something sickly sweet, and Victoria knew immediately that she would regret turning around.

A tall, perfectly manicured brunette stood by the table, arms crossed, looking down at her like she’s something to be scraped off her designer heels.

"You must be the new weekly interest," the woman said, lips curling into a smirk. "Though I have to admit, I didn’t think Tristan’s type had changed so... drastically."

Victoria tilted her head, offering a slow, sharp smile. "And you are?"

The woman flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Lena. Ex-girlfriend. And you?"

Is this bitch serious?

Victoria leaned back in her chair, eyes glinting. "Your current problem."

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