Zara jolted upright, trying to break free from his grip.
But she slipped again.
Ace caught her. Again.
She shut her eyes tightly, humiliation burning in her chest. "Damn these sandals," she muttered under her breath.
"Just calm down. I don't bite," he whispered with a husky tease.
There was something in his voice—despite the playful tone, it reassured her. He wasn't running away from last night.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. He was staring directly into them.
Zara swallowed. "Um... T—thanks."
Nadia rushed over, grabbing Zara's hand and helping her stand properly.
"Thank you," she said to Ace, barely holding back laughter.
Once Zara was upright and beside her, Nadia leaned in with a smirk. "As long as humanly possible, hmm?"
"It's all your fault," Zara muttered through clenched teeth.
She glanced at Ace, still watching them, and offered a flustered explanation. "These shoes have slippery soles. I'll just change—"
