Gabriel laughed, catching her attempt to dodge the subject.

“I’m fine, really. But if I keep going at this pace, I’m going to turn into your literary manager. I’m this close to starting a fan club.”

This time Celina laughed with genuine warmth.

“Gabriel… you’re amazing, you know that?”

He lifted his water glass in an impromptu toast.

“And you’re strong. Much stronger than you think.”

The evening drifted on between small talk and silences filled with thought. Celina tried to ignore a couple seated nearby, but something about them set her off-balance. She couldn’t be sure it was Thor—the lighting was low—but the way the woman smiled at the man made something tighten inside her. It was like reliving memories she’d tried to erase but that still lingered.

Noticing how often she glanced in the same direction, Gabriel leaned back slightly and cast a discreet look of his own.

“Is it him?” he asked softly.

Celina hesitated, pretending not to understand.

“Who?”

“That man at the other table—you