Midnight struck as Élise locked the bookstore door behind her.
The street was empty, washed in pale yellow light from the tired streetlamps.
A strange feeling crawled over her skin.
She was being watched.
Her footsteps echoed when a silhouette appeared at the end of the street.
Tall. Still.
— You're always out this late? a calm voice asked.
She turned sharply.
He stood closer than she expected.
Dark eyes studied her as if she were an open book.
Her breath caught.
— My name is Adrien, he said softly. And you should go home. This city doesn't forgive lonely souls after midnight.
He smiled.
In that moment, Élise knew her life had just changed.
Because some looks carry secrets…
and some love stories begin in the dark.