“So, this piece is from the 18th century,” Alex said, gesturing toward the ornate vase under the glass. His voice carried just enough authority to make the small group of tourists lean in closer. “Notice the intricate detailing along the rim—it’s a hallmark of the period.” He glanced over at Paige, who was standing slightly apart, her arms crossed as she studied the exhibit with a faint smirk.

Paige had joined the tour late, slipping in just as they reached the ceramics section. She was dressed casually in a fitted black sweater and jeans, her dark hair pulled into a loose ponytail that framed her sharp cheekbones. Her lips were painted a soft rose, and her green eyes flicked up to meet Alex’s as if she’d caught him looking. She tilted her head, her expression playful. “You sound like you’ve memorized every word of the brochure,” she teased, her voice low but carrying enough to make a few others chuckle.

Alex cleared his throat, his cheeks tingeing pink. “Well, it’s my job to know,” he said, trying to sound professional but failing to hide the slight grin tugging at his lips. Paige stepped closer, her gaze lingering on the vase for a moment before she turned to him. “You know,” she said, her tone dropping just enough to make him lean in, “I think I’ve seen this one before. But I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in a museum.” She paused, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Care to guess where?”