But then, mid-sentence, she stopped.
Her words died in her throat, her steps faltered. Dante caught the subtle shift immediately—her gaze had locked on something ahead, her expression stiffening.
He followed her line of sight and saw two unfamiliar figures standing at the far end of the sidewalk.
Alina's fingers tightened around the shopping bag handles. Her heart gave a small, uneasy lurch.
Riccardo's eyes fell on Alina, and the moment he saw her standing beside an unfamiliar, strikingly handsome man who was clearly taller than him, something in his chest twisted. Jealousy flashed in his gaze, quickly followed by that heavy, uncomfortable sting of inferiority he couldn't quite hide.
