ugh for both of them. It had been a decade, after all. She could go about her l

e it, the very next mornin

f freshly baked croissants and rich espresso filled the air, mingling with the hum of quiet conversations. The place had

corner table, her camera resting beside her. She planned to spend the morni

d. The sound was ordinary, something she would

here

iel Le

elaxed atmosphere of the café. His sharp jawline was still as striking as she remembered,

ok away, to pretend she hadn't

e lande

ise, maybe even hesitation. Then, just as quickly, his face har

elf as he appro

d, his voice

ffected her. Instead, she took another sip of

," she rep

again," he said, sliding h

akes tw

eight of their past hanging heavy in the ai

mera, then back at her. "

r eyes. "Still

ng that wasn't quite a smile

ecting small talk, you'll be disappo

e feeling you have a

ing to forget him, to erase the pain he had caused. And now, here he was

ly. "What do you

fee. I didn't expe

nown. But he was gone. In his place stood a man who had built walls

back her chair. "Now you

to leave. But just as she brushe

va

ay he said her nam

he turned

would've happened if th

eath c

ctly what he

adn't wal

had foug

had been

to let herself g

eeting his gaze h

ger before exhaling through his nose. He

care

, he turned and walk

ering, before pushing through the door a

violin music and the chatter of tourists filling the air. But for

ike a bat

That E

her shoulder. The museum was nearly empty, the usual crowds having dispersed as closing

colors swirling together in soft, dreamlike st

e heard his

id love impre

tightened. She turned s

away, hands in his pockets,

less laugh. "Are yo

estor," he said smoothly. "Di

second time you'v

. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze

oice quieter now, "I never wanted

steady. "That's where we're different

w tigh

ment, neither

g announcement echoed through the

you arou

n he walked away,

the painting that had once brough

she put between them, no mat

ill the only man who had

t he still had th