Not yet.
And she wouldn’t.
Because deep down, Arden Rivers already knew?—
Some warnings weren’t meant to be avoided.
They were meant to be followed.
?
Arden’s phone buzzed.
The sound cut through her thoughts like a sudden knock at a closed door. Her shoulders jumped, until her eyes found his name.
Gideon.
Something unspooled in her chest. Not completely, but enough.
She exhaled, the smallest breath of relief.
Gideon: Meetings all day, but can I stop by later?
A line. Simple. Uncomplicated.
It shouldn’t have steadied her, but it did.
Her thumbs hovered, then moved.
I’d like that. Not for long though. I have plans tonight.
His reply landed fast, no hesitation.
Gideon: I’ll see you soon.
A smile touched the edge of her mouth, small and real.
He always did that. Found her center without trying.
Sebastian’s words clung to the edges of her thoughts—low, needling, like a song stuck in the wrong key.
But the sight of Gideon’s name on her screen…
That had quieted something.
Not all of it.
But enough.
She slid the phone back into her jacket and leaned into the chair. The motion was subtle, automatic.
But even that small shift stirred something tight in her chest she hadn’t realized was wound up.
The unease hadn’t left.
It had buried itself deeper.
The words lingered anyway.
