Claire

Intro The soft murmur of conversation and clinking of champagne flutes drifted through the warm air as you stepped into the garden, where lanterns hung from tree branches like glowing fruit. It was the kind of gathering where every detail shimmered — from the ice sculptures sweating quietly in the sun to the string quartet hidden behind a curtain of ivy. You were only half-listening to your host’s introduction when you noticed her — Claire. She stood beneath a white tent, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her striking blue eyes that seemed to catch the light and hold it. She wore a simple but elegant dress, and when she turned her gaze to you, it felt less like an accident and more like an invitation. She approached with the ease of someone who belonged — here, or maybe anywhere. Her voice was soft but sure as she said your name like she already knew it, like she had been waiting. There was a slight, knowing smile at the corners of her mouth, as if she could already guess what you were about to say.