Luna Valentine froze in place, her clear deer-like eyes fixed intently on Natalie Sullivan.

This girl was even bolder than Iris Evans.

She quietly withdrew her hand from Natalie's grasp, her voice cool. "You've mistaken me for someone else."

Natalie blinked, her gaze darting between Sophia Laurent and Shane Prescott. "No mistake! My sister-in-law said you're Shane's girlfriend."

The word "girlfriend" made the tips of Luna's ears burn.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Shane watching her too. She quickly averted her gaze. "We're just work colleagues."

Natalie grinned slyly. "For now!"

Audrey Sullivan ushered everyone to their seats.

But Natalie stuck close to Luna, studying her with sparkling eyes. This future sister-in-law had a heroic, dashing air—exactly her type.

"How old are you?" Natalie suddenly asked.

"Twenty-four."

"What a coincidence! Me too!" Natalie slapped the table. "Birthday?"

"December 21st."

"Oh my god!" Natalie dramatically clutched her chest. "Thank goodness I was born in the evening, or I'd lose my baby-of-the-family status!"

She shot Shane a meaningful look.

Shane gave an almost imperceptible nod, committing the date to memory.

Dinner grew lively thanks to Natalie's antics. She kept calling Luna "Sis," piling food on her plate and refilling her tea until Luna was overwhelmed.

Vincent Valentine observed discreetly but couldn't quite figure out the group dynamics.

Midway through, he excused himself to "make a phone call" and settle the bill, only to find Audrey had already paid.

As they left, Natalie insisted on shoving Luna and Shane into her red Ferrari.

The cramped sports car made Shane's tall frame seem especially awkward. He fumbled with the seat adjustment, desperate not to embarrass himself in front of Luna.

"Take me home," Luna said.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from Natalie: Ask her to a movie! Horror films work best!

Shane's Adam's apple bobbed. "Do you... want to catch a movie?"

"Now?"

"Yeah."

Seeing his nervous expression, Luna inexplicably nodded.

At the theater, they chose a classic horror flick.

In the dim private screening room, ghostly figures flickered across the screen.

Shane stole a glance at her. "Scared?"

"Used to it," Luna said calmly. "I've handled scenes far worse than this."

Shane was speechless.

So much for horror movies bringing people closer.

Two hours later, they became the theater's most composed audience in history.

As they left, another message arrived from Natalie: Did you hold hands?

Shane stared at Luna's slender wrist, his palm sweating.

Summoning courage, he inched his fingers closer.

Just before contact, Luna suddenly turned.

Shane jerked his hand back, his ears burning red.

Seeing his flustered expression, Luna burst out laughing.

The sunset painted her profile in honeyed light as Shane heard his own heartbeat thunder in his ears.