Aria's POV –
Lucas entered looking different somehow. Lighter. His usual confident swagger was there, but there was something softer in his expression, something almost—happy.
"Aria." He smiled, and it reached his eyes. "Thank you for seeing me."
"Sit." I gestured to the chair across from my desk. "Want coffee?"
"No, I'm good." He sat, and we looked at each other for a moment. "You look happy. Really happy."
"I am." I felt myself smile. "Damien and I are—we're good. Really good. We're taking things slow, dating properly before the wedding."
"That's great." And he sounded like he meant it. "He's treating you well?"
"He is." I leaned back in my chair. "Lucas, what's this about? You didn't come here just to check on my relationship status."
"No." He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking nervous. "I came to apologize. Properly apologize. And to—to say goodbye, I guess."
"Goodbye?" Concern flickered through me. "Are you leaving Ravenwood?"
