She expected small talk and maybe a shared pastry. What she didn’t expect was her mother to greet her at the door, glowing like a teenager, and to introduce her to her new fiancé… Edwin.

Edwin. The man from the plane.

Kristi felt her breath catch. She managed a polite nod, even shook his hand. If he recognized her, he didn’t show it. “Pleasure to meet you, Kristi,” he said smoothly, like they hadn’t just met the day before under very different circumstances.

She sat through dinner in a daze, watching as Edwin charmed her mother, told polished stories of his travels, and moved through the kitchen like he’d always belonged there. He was good. Too good.

Later, Kristi pulled her mother onto the terrace for some air. “Mom, what do you know about Edwin?”

Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “He’s wonderful. A