She touched his arm. She leaned in close, whispering something in his ear. The man laughed and placed a hand on her waist.
Then, right there in the middle of the room, she kissed him.
It was sloppy and brazen.
I watched, not with jealousy, but with a detached curiosity.
Then I saw Nathan.
He was across the room, talking to his grandfather. But his eyes were glued to the bar. I saw his jaw clench. I saw the vein in his neck throb. He excused himself abruptly, leaving Arthur mid-sentence.
He marched across the room, his stride long and angry. He didn't make a scene—he was too careful for that—but the way he grabbed Danica’s elbow was anything but gentle.
He whispered something in her ear, his face dark. Danica pulled away, looking annoyed. He grabbed her again and steered her toward the side exit that led to the gardens.
I waited a beat, then set my glass down.
I followed them.
The garden was dark, illuminated only by the fairy lights strung in the trees. I stayed in the shadows of the hedges, moving silently on the grass.
I heard their voices before I saw them. They were near the fountain, hidden from the main terrace.