“Sorry,” he said, a little sheepish. “You just... feel like someone important.”
My smile thinned. “I’m not.”
He tilted his head like he didn’t quite believe that. “Well, not yet, maybe.”
I rolled my eyes and stepped past him. “How many times have you done this whole show you’re putting on right now?”
He fell into step beside me, undeterred. “This is the first time. Is it working for you?”
“I’m not interested.”
He laughed, and it was unfairly warm. “Noted.”
I glanced sideways at him. He was studying me like he already knew something I didn’t. Like I was familiar.
“Why are you staring?” I asked.
“Just... curious.” He smiled again, slower this time. “You feel like a storm waiting to happen.”
I didn’t answer. Thomas’ words swarmed inside my mind. He had said there was a storm inside of me. But surely he didn’t mean this man.
“Don’t follow me,” I said, before he could try again.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he lied. “But maybe I will see you out here again?”
I didn’t answer him, just kept walking. My silence should’ve been enough.
He stayed beside me a few steps longer before finally falling back with a quiet, almost amused sigh.
“Be careful, Elowyn,” he called after me.
I paused. Not enough to give him the satisfaction of turning around, but just enough to let him know I’d heard.
“You say that like you know something I don’t,” I said over my shoulder.
“Maybe I do.” His voice was lighter now, teasing, but underneath it, there was something heavier. Certain.
I faced forward again, ignoring the goosebumps crawling up my arms. The wind shifted. Something in the air thickened around me.
“Fate is like a storm. It comes when you least expect it and sweeps you off your feet,” he said as I continued walking.
I looked back at him, wondering if he somehow knew Thomas said something similar to me. His gaze didn’t leave mine.
I turned again and kept walking.
And I didn’t look back.But gods help me. I could still feel him watching. The weight of it pressed between my shoulder blades like a brand. It wasn’t lust. It wasn’t even curiosity, not really.It was recognition.
Like heknewme.
Not the way strangers try to guess your favorite color or food. No, this felt older. Deeper. As if some part of me had already knew him, long before we’d met.
Which was ridiculous. My feet slowed down, and I looked back at him. He was still watching me, curiously, maybe even hopeful.
“Fine. You get one date, and if it’s terrible, I’m leaving, and you’ll stop stalking me.”
His eyes twinkled with delight.
“It will be unforgettable.” He stepped toward me. “Shall we get to it?”
