Chapter 45

Aria's POV I stood in front of my closet, fingers hovering between outfits. Aiden hadn't given me any details about our dinner plans, but something in his tone made me think this wasn't just another business function. After some deliberation, I chose a floor-length dress in a soft, flowing fabric—elegant without being overstated. I kept my makeup natural with just a hint of color on my lips and spent a good ten minutes braiding my hair into a perfect fishtail. Satisfied with my reflection, I grabbed my clutch and headed downstairs. Aiden was waiting in the living room, scrolling through his phone. When he heard my footsteps, he looked up, and the way his eyes widened slightly made my stomach flutter. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice dropping to that deep register that always made my knees weak. "Thank you," I replied, feeling heat creep up my neck. I tried to hold his gaze, but after a few seconds, I had to look away. The air between us felt charged, crackling with something un