ed, trying to push away the quiet stirrings of curiosity. She had told herself that she wouldn't let him disrupt her carefully c

sterious, but also strangely open, as if he was willing to share something of himself if she were ready to listen. It was a kind of openness that K

lately, the quiet felt suffocating, as though the stillness of her apartment had become a reminder of everything she had lost. Every corner held memories of Julian, of Maya,

te frowned at the name displayed there, Maya. She didn't feel like answering, but as if the un

d up her phone and tapp

ou? I haven't hear

I've be

re still stuck in that little art gallery

She knew Maya's tone all too well. It was always like this, dismissive, s

uck anywhere. I'm

n a new mess

ding me. You know, Julian

e that fateful day, hadn't seen him in weeks. The thought of him still holding onto her, sti

ed in talking to him, M

te. Julian's been really upset,

he had been, how devastated she still was, but another part of her felt too raw, too vulnerable to even go there. Maya had never under

ing anyone, and the sudden interruption startled her. Her heart beat a little faster a

ht she hadn't anticipated, Austin, standing there

" he asked, as though his prese

ng at the gallery, and his appearance now seemed like an odd coincidence. But th

stepping aside to let him in.

his presence filled the space, how much larger the room seemed when he was there. It wasn't like she hadn't had guests before, but there

said, his tone light, though there w

ise of his visit. "No, not at all. What's this?" She g

h a smile, handing her the bag. "

opened it. Inside was a beautifully wrapped book, its cover ornate and eye-

he asked, genui

his voice softening a bit. "Of one

only once, years ago, and never to Austin. The fact that he had reme

e couldn't help the small smile that tugged at

te hadn't seen before. "I don't know," he said, almost quietly. "I guess I just wanted to do

often quick to disappoint, to betray, this moment felt like an unexpected breath of fresh air. Austin's sin

er voice thick with emotion.

atitude, but his eyes remained steady. "Sometimes...

ad between them. Kate didn't know what this was, didn't know where this connection with Austin would lead, but in that mom

ng to break the quiet, needing to do someth

n replied, his smile return

orting and unnerving. Her mind was racing, and she couldn't help but wonder what Austin's visit meant. What he r

he time to think about that yet. Not when she had ju

rent, felt like a distant possibility on the horizon, a