Nadia's POV
What on earth was I thinking?
"Dinner? With you?"
The words hit me like a punch to the chest, and I had to squeeze my eyes shut against the sharp ache that followed.
What did you expect, Nadia? That he would drop everything and rush home just because you asked? Maybe all this comfort had made me forget my place.
"You don't have to if you're too busy, sir," I stammered, trying to salvage whatever dignity I had left.
"No, that's not what I meant," he said, his voice carrying a heavy sigh. "I was just caught off guard. I thought you preferred keeping your distance."
"This is your house, sir. You shouldn't have to leave just to give me space."
"Is that the only reason you want to have dinner with me?"
Something in his tone made my stomach flutter. Was that disappointment I heard?
I shook my head even though he couldn't see me through the phone. "No, sir. I just... I wanted..."
The words stuck in my throat, refusing to come out.
