The evening air was heavy with the scent of roses and laughter. The garden glimmered under a canopy of fairy lights, each bulb strung with the care of someone desperate to make this wedding unforgettable. Lila adjusted her lavender dress, smoothing out imaginary creases, as she watched couples sway to the rhythm of a jazz quartet playing softly in the background. She had always loved weddings, but tonight, she felt oddly detached. Maybe it was the string of failed relationships that had left her wary of love—or perhaps it was the way she’d caught the bride’s mother throwing her a pitiful glance earlier, as if to say, Poor thing, still single.

She moved to the edge of the garden, seeking solace in the shadows cast by the towering oak trees. The champagne flute in her hand was warm, untouched since the toast. Lila was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice him at first. A man stood a few feet away, leaning casually against the tree trunk, his dark suit tailored to perfection. He wasn’t looking at her, not at first. His gaze was fixed on the crowd, as if observing a distant world he didn’t belong to.

And then he turned.

His eyes locked onto hers, and Lila felt an unfamiliar flutter in her chest. It wasn’t just that he was handsome, though he undeniably was, with dark, tousled hair and cheekbones sharp enough to cut through the night. There was something in his expression—a quiet intensity, a spark of mischief—that made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t in years.

“Hiding, or just people-watching?” His voice was deep, smooth, and slightly teasing.

Lila blinked, caught off guard. “A little of both, I guess.” She gestured vaguely toward the crowd. “Weddings can be... overwhelming.”

He stepped closer, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Let me guess. You’re hiding from an overenthusiastic aunt who’s dying to set you up with her neighbor’s son?”

Lila laughed, a genuine laugh that surprised even her. “Close enough. And you? What brings you out here?”

“I could say the same,” he replied, his eyes glinting. “Overwhelming, isn’t it?”

It was a simple exchange, nothing earth-shattering, yet Lila felt a connection forming—fragile but undeniable. She glanced down at her champagne flute, suddenly self-conscious. “I’m Lila, by the way.”

“Adrian.” He extended his hand, and when their fingers touched, a current seemed to pass between them. Lila felt her breath hitch but quickly dismissed it as her imagination.

For the next hour, they talked. It was easy in a way that felt almost magical. Adrian was quick-witted and charming, but not in the way most men were at weddings, trying too hard to impress. He asked her questions about herself, genuinely interested in her thoughts and stories. He listened, really listened, and when he spoke, his words carried a weight that made her want to know more.

“So, what’s the story with you?” he asked at one point, leaning in slightly as if to hear her better over the music.

Lila shrugged, feeling oddly nervous under his gaze. “Not much to tell. I work in PR. I love what I do, but it’s... demanding. It doesn’t leave much room for a social life.”

Adrian tilted his head. “Is that the polite way of saying you’re married to your job?”

She laughed again, shaking her head. “Not married to it, no. But it’s been easier to focus on work than... other things.”

He didn’t press, but the knowing look in his eyes told her he understood. Lila found herself wondering about him, about his life beyond this wedding. Yet every time she asked a question, he skillfully turned the conversation back to her. It was infuriating and intriguing all at once.

“What about you?” she finally asked, determined to even the playing field. “What do you do?”

Adrian hesitated for a moment, as if considering how much to reveal. “I’m in consulting,” he said vaguely, then added with a smirk, “It’s not nearly as glamorous as it sounds.”

“You’re dodging,” she teased, arching an eyebrow.

“And you’re perceptive,” he countered, his grin widening. “Maybe I’ll tell you more if you’re still curious by the end of the night.”

Lila rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. There was a playfulness in his tone that kept her guessing, and for the first time in a long while, she felt alive—truly alive.

As the evening wore on, the crowd began to thin. The jazz quartet packed up, replaced by a DJ playing slow, dreamy melodies. Lila felt the weight of the day settling in, but she didn’t want this moment to end. Adrian seemed to sense it too, his gaze lingering on her as if memorizing every detail.

“Dance with me,” he said suddenly, holding out his hand.

Lila hesitated, glancing at the few couples still swaying under the lights. “I’m not much of a dancer,” she admitted.

“Neither am I,” he replied, stepping closer. “But I think we’ll manage.”

Before she could protest, he took her hand and led her to the makeshift dance floor. The music was soft and haunting, a ballad about love and loss. Adrian placed one hand on her waist, the other still holding hers, and they began to move. His touch was gentle but firm, guiding her in a way that made her forget her self-consciousness.

For a moment, the world around them faded. It was just the two of them, moving in sync under the canopy of lights. Lila felt her heart racing, a mix of exhilaration and fear. She barely knew this man, yet he made her feel something she hadn’t felt in years—hope.

When the song ended, Adrian didn’t let go immediately. Their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Lila’s pulse quickened as she searched his eyes for something—a sign, a clue—but all she found was that same quiet intensity that had drawn her to him in the first place.

“You’re trouble,” she whispered, half-joking, half-serious.

Adrian’s lips curved into a slow smile. “And you’re irresistible.”

Lila felt her cheeks flush, but before she could respond, someone called Adrian’s name from across the garden. He stepped back reluctantly, glancing over his shoulder.

“Looks like my cover’s blown,” he said, a hint of regret in his voice. “But this isn’t goodbye.”

“Oh?” Lila raised an eyebrow, trying to mask her disappointment.

“No,” he said firmly, his gaze locking onto hers once more. “This is just the beginning.”

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lila standing under the lights, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: Adrian had already changed something in her, something she wasn’t sure she could ever undo.