Page 104 of The Plus One Contract

The hotel terrace is quiet, lined with soft, glowing lanterns. A gentle breeze carries the scent of salt and citrus, mingling with the laughter and music drifting from inside. Beyond the terrace, a few stone steps lead down to the resort’s sprawling pool area. It’s pristine and empty under the glow of underwater lights.

And sitting in one of the lounge chairs, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, is Daniel.

I stop in my tracks, my stomach twisting.

He’s alone, sprawled out like he’s been there for a while. His tie is loose, the first few buttons of his dress shirt undone, and he looks…off. His shoulders are slouched, his brow furrowed, his jaw tight.

Maybe if I turn around now, if I move slowly enough, I can disappear before he even notices.

“You can come out of the shadows, Sienna.”

Shit.

I exhale through my nose before stepping forward, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “I was just looking for Nathan.”

He lets out a quiet huff of laughter. “Right.”

I fold my arms, my eyes flicking to the cigarette in his hand. “I thought you quit.”

He smirks, taking a long drag before exhaling toward the sky. “Yeah, well. Old habits.”

I hesitate, but against my better judgment, I lower myself onto the lounge chair beside his. “Didn’t take you for the brooding type.”

He glances at me for a split second, those familiar chocolate eyes sweeping me, and I wait.

I wait to feel it.

To feel anything.

Nothing comes.

“Maybe I’m just enjoying the peace,” he says.

I hum, looking toward the water. It’s calm, smooth as glass, reflecting the golden glow of the hotel lights.

A silence stretches between us—not quite comfortable but not suffocating either. It’s strange, sitting here with him again, with all the history, all the damage, all the years we spent circling each other.

Before I can let my mind wander too far, he speaks. “It looks like your new life suits you.”

I nod, smiling. “Yeah. I’m happy.”

He takes another slow drag of his cigarette, exhaling long and slow, watching the smoke curl into the night air.

I hear him let out a deflated breath, but I don’t look at him because I can already sense what’s coming.

“Do you ever think we made the wrong choice?”

Something in my stomach clenches. “We?”

His gaze flickers to mine, then back to the water. “Yeah. Me. I fucked up.”

I try my best to keep my hands steady as I slide my gaze over to him. “You seem happy with Lauren.”

There’s no humor to the laugh he lets out. “Yeah. We’re happy.”

It doesn’t sound like the whole truth, but it’s not my business so I don’t question him further.

He turns to face me fully, his knee brushing mine. The warmth of his skin seeps through the fabric of my dress, making me stiffen.

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