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She mutters something I can’t make out, but she must have listened because a second later I hear her clearly.

“Do you want us to organize two separate opening events?”

“No. There’s no point.”

“Okay. I’ll let Thalia know we’re only having one,” she says.

“Perfect. Anything else?”

It’s been a long day, and all I want is to end this call and get something to eat.

“No. We’ll talk tomorrow, Zayn.” Her voice softens now that she’s no longer shouting. “Good night.”

I end the call without another word. Not exactly polite, but she’s used to me.

After closing my laptop, I pull on a T-shirt and head down to the hotel restaurant.

The moment I step out of the elevator, I realize I don’t even feel like eating. My appetite has been gone for a few days now.

Selene was in her room when I left. I know because she hasn’t come out once since we got back from the club.

And ever since what happened this morning, we haven’t spoken.

I can’t understand why I feel like I owe her an explanation, why there’s this persistent urge to make things clear between us.

There’s nothing to explain.

Even so, going to the restaurant feels pointless. I won’t eat anyway.

I turn around, step back into the elevator, and return to the apartment instead.

Walking through the door, my feet carry me straight to the room on the left.

Her room.

Maybe I should knock.

That would be the normal thing to do.

I don’t.

My hand closes around the handle, and I push the door open in one decisive movement.

Selene goes utterly still in the middle of the room. Her eyes widen, and her lips part ever so slightly.

A towel is wrapped around her body, barely secure above her chest, and an impossibly long, thick braid of deep purple hair cascades down her back. Bare feet rest on the wooden floor, her skin still carrying the faint sheen of fresh warmth from the shower.

“Zayn,” she whispers my name with that accent that drives me out of my mind.

I don’t answer.

Instead, I cross the distance between us in seconds.

One hand slides into her hair, burying itself in the silken strands, while the other settles firmly at her waist, pulling her flush into me.

Then I kiss her.

Hard.