118

118

Sophia’s POV

Ian and I sat across from each other at a small, cozy restaurant hidden away from the busy streets. The lighting was dim, casting a soft glow over the wooden table between us, and the sound of soft music played in the background, blending perfectly with the murmur of other diners. It felt like we were in our own little world, away from everything—away from vampires, councils, and threats. For a moment, it was just us.

“This place is nice,” I said, glancing around. “I’m surprised you picked it.”

Ian raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a small smile. “What? You didn’t think I knew how to pick a good restaurant?”

I laughed softly, leaning forward. “No, it’s just… you usually go for more… exclusive places.” I made a face, remembering some of the fancier spots he’d taken me to in the past. “Places where I have no idea what’s on the menu.”

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I thought I’d change things up. Besides, I know you prefer a place with a little more character.”

“You know me so well,” I teased, taking a sip of water. “Honestly, this is perfect. It feels… normal.”

Ian’s gaze softened, and for a moment, his expression shifted into something more tender. “You deserve normal, Sophia. After everything… I just wanted us to have a night where we don’t think about anything else.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly, appreciating the gesture more than I could express.

Before we could get too deep into that conversation, the waiter came by to take our orders. I went with something simple—pasta, because you can’t really go wrong with pasta—and Ian ordered a steak. After the waiter left, we fell into an easy silence for a moment, just enjoying each other’s company.

“So,” Ian said after a beat, leaning back in his chair. “Tell me, what’s been on your mind lately?”

I shrugged, playing with the edge of my napkin. “You know, the usual. School, life… trying to balance it all.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, catching the small lie in my words. “And?”

“And… it’s hard sometimes,” I admitted. “Everything feels so overwhelming, like I’m being pulled in a million directions at once.”

Ian reached across the table and took my hand, his touch grounding me. “You don’t have to do it all alone, Sophia. I’m here.”

“I know.” I gave him a small smile. “But sometimes, I feel like I’m walking this tightrope, and if I slip, everything falls apart.”

He squeezed my hand gently. “You’re stronger than you think. But you don’t have to carry everything on your own. Let me help you.”

I looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. A sigh escaped my lips as I rubbed his hand in return.

“I’ll try,” I said softly. “But you know me—I’m stubborn.”

He laughed, a deep, rich sound that made my heart swell. “That’s an understatement.”

I grinned, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. “What about you?” I asked. “How are you holding up? I know things haven’t been easy for you either.”

Ian’s expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with his usual calm demeanor. “I’m managing.”

I gave him a pointed look. “Ian…”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s been… difficult. The council is more unpredictable than ever, and there’s still so much we don’t know about what’s going on with the hunters and the rebellion. But…” He paused, his eyes locking with mine. “None of that matters right now. Tonight is about us.”

I nodded, glad that he was willing to set all of that aside for the evening. “Okay,” I agreed. “No more serious talk. Just us.”

He smiled, and we both fell into a more lighthearted conversation, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. We joked about our favorite movies, made fun of some of the ridiculous things we’d seen in class, and reminisced about how we’d met.

“Remember the club?” I asked, laughing as I recalled that night. “You were so mysterious.”

Ian smirked, leaning forward slightly. “I had to be. I couldn’t just tell you everything upfront.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you were playing the long game?”

“Maybe,” he teased, his eyes sparkling. “Or maybe I was just waiting for the right moment to sweep you off your feet.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. “Well, it worked. I guess I fell for it.”

“I’m glad you did,” he said softly, his gaze holding mine.

There was something in the way he looked at me that made my heart skip a beat, something that reminded me just how much I cared about him—about us. Despite all the craziness that had come with being in Ian’s world, I wouldn’t change any of it. Not if it meant losing him.

The food arrived shortly after, and we spent the next few minutes digging in. The pasta was delicious, but I couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Ian every now and then. There was something about the way he cut into his steak, so precise and controlled, that reminded me of who he really was—a vampire. Yet, here we were, having a completely normal, human dinner.

“How’s the pasta?” he asked, noticing my wandering gaze.

“It’s good,” I said, grinning. “But I’m starting to think you’re more of a steak guy.”

He chuckled. “What gave it away?”

We both laughed, my heart feeling lighter with the sound. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t thinking about the council or whoever was trying to kill me. It was just Ian and me, enjoying a simple dinner together.

As the night wore on and we finished our meal, I realized just how much I needed this—this time with him, away from everything else. No drama, no vampires, no hunters. Just us.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said quietly as we stood to leave. “I really needed this.”

Ian smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “So did I.”