No Strings Attached

lan felt his heart plummet.

This woman... He was sure he had seen her somewhere before, especially those beautiful eyes and the tender, watery smile that lurked within them. The memory was so distant, so faded, he couldn't quite place when their paths had crossed.

lan realized he was losing his cool and quickly adjusted his expression. "If it bothers you, I can move to the table over there," he offered.

"No, it's fine. Have a seat," Liana quickly composed herself after her initial shock.

Clara was mortified and kicked lan under the table in a fit of silent rage, but before she could retract her leg, it was ensnared by lan's strong limbs. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free. Watching her face turn beet red with annoyance, lan couldn't help but curve his lips into a smug grin. He poured her a glass of iced water and offered it with a chuckle, "Is it just me, or is it sweltering in here? Attorney Clara, you look like you could use something to cool down."

lan a hundred times over. But externally, she managed a thin smile. "Thanks, Mr. Hayes, but I

past the incident. But lan's voice, slightly deeper than before, broke the silence. "Why is it so early this month? I

she heard, but his attempts at discretion only served to broadcast their private joke to the

fool could decipher

managed to force a tight-lipped response, "Excuse

lan rose too. "Enjoy your meal. I've

look. "He's got

mother a casual smirk. "Did you recognize lan from somewhere? You seemed surprised." As a psychologist, he was trained to notice the slightest details. Liana shook her head with a laugh, "Not sure, maybe it's just that his eyes resemble yours. My memory's been gone

his mother's face, Brodie served her some comfort food, his voice soft and reassuring. "If you can't