He had been hovering at the edges of the set, as he did thest time-close enough to watch, far enough to seem casual.


    The spark that usually lit her eyes was dim; her movements were precise but empty. She was here in body, but her mind was elsewhere, weighed down.


    There was only one thing that would dampen Nivera’s mood like this, and he was certain it was Alejandro.


    Perfect, this was his chance to capitalize and win Nivera’s heart.


    When the shoot wrapped for the day, and Nivera slipped away to the quieter end of the studio, he seized his chance.


    “Hey,” he said softly, leaning against the doorway as she sank into a chair, staring at the floor. “Rough morning?”


    She looked up, startled. “Damon. Where did youe from?”


    She hadn’t seen him at the shoot. Had he been there all along?


    “That’s because you’re a million miles away,” he said with a half-smile, stepping closer. His voice was light and teasing, but his eyes were sharp and assessing. “Want to tell me what’s weighing on you?”


    Nivera shook her head quickly. “It’s nothing. Just tired.”


    “Mm.” He slid into the chair beside her, stretching his legs out. “I don’t buy that. I’ve known you long enough to tell the difference between tired and


    whatever this is.”


    “Like I said, I’m tired.”


    “You don’t have to pretend with me, Nivera. I can see it in your eyes. Something’s bothering you.”


    She exhaled shakily, unwilling to admit the truth, as it wasn’t any of his business. Frankly speaking, she didn’t know why she was even tolerating him


    the first ce.


    But thankfully Damon didn’t push.


    It was a calcted move on his part; if he did, she would snap and put up a wall between them. The fact that she didn’t try to run way front hben was something he wasn’t going to stupidly lose.


    “You know,” he murmured, “for what it’s worth… you deserve better than looking this sad.”


    The words were soft, and they hit her deeply. She nced at him. “I’m not-


    “You are,” he interrupted, his smile faint but kind. “You’ve always been this fierce, unstoppable force. That’s the iveral remember. The gel an take anyone’s crap, who lit up a room just by walking into it. She’d never let anyone dim that light.


    Her throat tightened. She looked away quickly, blinking hard.


    Daman tilted his head, watching her he had to make sure his words hit the right spot


    “Whoever made you feel like this they don’t deserve you to rever. He sopped, catching herself, mod instead


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    But he hadn’t cared this morning and had dismissed her as if she were nothing.


    Maybe a distraction was what she needed. Maybe letting Damon in, just for a little, would help her forget the way Alejandro’s words had gelees her,


    Plus, maybe Alejandro receiving news that she was with him would make hime to his senses.


    “All right,” she said softly, standing. “But don’t cross the line.” She gave a little warning.


    “I won’t,” Damon reassured her


    They ended up in a quiet little café tucked away from the main street, one Damon imed had “the best soup in the city.” The ce was warm and low- lit, the kind of spot that felt safe.


    They sat across from each other, steaming bowls set between them.


    Damon talked lightly at first-stories from shoots, funny incidents with overzealous photographers-but always with one eye on her, gauging how much she was listening.


    And when her guard slipped-when she finally let a tiredugh escape-he leaned in closer, lowering his voice.


    “See? That’s the Nivera I know. The one whoughs like the world hasn’t beaten her down.” His gaze lingered on her face, gentle but intense. “Don’t let anyone steal that from you.”


    Her spoon stilled halfway to her mouth. The warmth of the words sank into her, dangerous in howforting they felt.


    She wanted todefend Alejandro in her head, but the memory of that morning stopped her. The harshness of his dismissal, the way he hadn’t even looked at her-it was all too raw.


    She snapped out of her thoughts when Damon reached across the table then, not touching her hand but resting close enough that the gesture felt intimate. His voice dropped, softer than she’d ever heard it.


    “All I’m saying is time you need to be reminded what it feels like to be cared for.”


    The words lodged deep, sinking into the cracks Alejandro had left.


    And Nivera-fragile, aching, vulnerable-let them.