chapter1154

Joshua said, "Ever since you came to Solmaris, you haven't seemed very happy. I thought you could use a little break."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Stella's eyes.

The Williams estate wasn't her home-it was more like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers.

Everywhere she turned, enemies lurked in the shadows. One wrong move, and she'd be torn to pieces.

She couldn't afford to relax for even a moment; every muscle in her body felt perpetually wound tight.

She'd thought she'd hidden it well, but Joshua was far more perceptive than she realized.

After a brief silence, she finally replied, "That's very thoughtful of you, Joshua."

He asked, "You don't have any plans tonight, do you?"

"No," she answered.

Since she'd agreed to go out with Joshua, she'd cleared her whole day.

Joshua's lips curled into a faint smile. "Perfect. You'll get to see the view at night- it's even more spectacular than during the day."

The way he said it sparked a hint of anticipation deep inside her.

Without realizing it, the sunlight had faded, painting the sky with streaks of gold as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

"Star." Joshua's voice drew her from her thoughts. "Look over there."

Following his gaze, Stella turned toward the west.

The sunset spilled scarlet and gold across the fields, wildflowers awash in a molten glow so breathtaking it almost hurt to look at. For a moment, it felt as if the whole world had been dipped in color.

In that instant, Stella was struck by how small and fragile people were before such vast beauty.

The sun finally disappeared, leaving the world in gentle twilight.

Night settled softly over the countryside.

A silver crescent moon hung in the endless dark, with scattered stars glittering like diamonds overhead.

Fireflies drifted above the grass, tiny lanterns that set the darkness shimmering, making the scene feel almost unreal, as if they'd stepped into a dream.

Even the river-so unremarkable by daylight-now gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the moon's pale face.

It really was as beautiful as Joshua had promised-maybe even more so.

She heard footsteps, and turned to see Joshua approaching with something in his hands.

"Here," he said, tossing her a can.

Stella caught it on reflex and looked down to find it was a can of beer.

"This is..."

Joshua grinned. "When you're feeling low, sometimes a drink helps you unwind."

He glanced at her, a little cautious. "But if you're not much of a drinker, you can just leave it. I'll finish it for you."

Stella smiled. "I'm not exactly a heavyweight, but I can handle a drink or two. Back in college, Abby and and my mentor used to

goou for dinner sometimes we'd split a few rounds." s

As she spoke, her eyes softened with nostalgia.

"Looking back, those days felt so carefree."

She cracked open the beer and began sharing stories from her student days-

funny, random memories she hadn't spoken about in years.

Joshua listened quietly, the perfect audience. ? ?s? ?s Find[?]ovel.net

Halfway through, Stella caught herself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd talked this much in one go.

"Sorry," she said quickly, realizing how much she'd rambled. "I guess I'm kind of chatty tonight."

Since Rachel had come back, Keen O'Brien had grown more and more

impatient with her her stories her chatter. Lately, shed learned to keep her thoughts to herself. s

Joshua shook his head. No, don't apologize. I've never had many. friends nobody to talk to really.

like hearing your stories s

No friends?

Stella hesitated. "Doesn't Harold count?"

Joshua shrugged. "He only cares about cars. We hardly ever talk about anything

real."

She turned to look at him. "No one else? Not even one?"

He shook his head. "No one."

For some reason, Stella felt a pang of sympathy for him.

She'd always had friends-Antoney, Abby, people she'd known since childhood.