TER

and S

n sea. The horizon had disappeared beneath a shroud of clouds, the waves more violent than graceful to

ed, and the antique chandeliers seemed to dim beneath the weight of the sky. Mia could feel it

lutter of recognition already forming where there had once been only do

rrifi

ts, the restrictions on caffeine and stress. But what she hadn't expected was the emotional terrain. The aching awareness of inhab

was a

ed, her voice softe

the top button of his shirt undone just enough to reveal that he wa

h a careful nod. "

She looked out aga

This place always feels

You've stayed

reach his eyes. "Damian and I used to come here during un

felt it-a hint of a pas

aw's coming by today for your fir

Damian migh

"He would, normally. But

to let the disappoint

voice. "For what it's worth... you'

"I haven't do

... fragile. And Damian? He's built walls so high he doesn't remembe

ng to make anyone do anything. She just wanted to ge

y by ten," sh

d and turne

he paused. "Be

h wh

," he said. And

-

That M

hed, her suits elegant but not attention-seeking. She wore pearls witho

aid, staring at the scan with practiced

her stomach already forgotten as she stared at the

e it

i

ined. No

caught. "

ned just a fraction.

the handbook of emotional detachment was do not attach. But she had just heard a

ents clinical. "I'll send the res

"Can I...

paused. "If

d

-

en

the top buttons undone like he'd fought something all day-himself, perhap

the appointme

anced up. "Lu

thank you.

" she added, uns

a moment, something soften

hat. "Because of

nside. "Because

does it me

hat I might finally have something m

ked. "Th

fut

e fell

her. He looked down at her sketchpad. The cha

world differe

Or maybe you've ju

don't talk like someon

someone who's suppos

t. Not romantic. Not yet. But intimate

inally. "Elena want

od. "Of

-

nn

r was twisted into something elegant, her makeup soft but precise. She looked eve

ite asparagus, silence filling the

lly sit together,"

ied, then, "The

flicker. "I'm glad. Damian and I

wasn't meant to speak from the he

today," she said softly

ression didn't change, but something be

throat. "We're gr

g what I promi

aid it, her own v

de, she already knew: this

ng between them all-silent,

-