ike it was trying to convince ev

g across the waves. She'd filled two pages already th

want to a

a

olor bleeding back into a faded painting

ed in the corner, sketchbook open, coffee half-sipped. She was

But she felt his presenc

a

r. "You always

up. "You always walk into p

ed. "May

of si

, "Do you even

rea

hy come

er, eyes stead

ncil p

chest. It wasn't fear...

had picked up, and Elena folded her arms,

ed off his jacket and dra

him. "You don't

aid simply. "B

and for a moment, the world around them

t him, her face

his?" she whispered.

ghtly. His voice

like someone who d

eath c

mbling for once-and brushed a

s were so

red. His eyes fl

pace between them

ng. Loud. Ha

pping back. The

her m

dn't a

moment w

throat. "You s

ea

ay. "I'll se

ke that...

, staring at her reflection. She touche

want him t

e ever walked away for good, s

floor of his apartment, st

played the f

ut I just... I needed you today. I miss th

age cut

osed h

cry. But h

contin