“That’s it?” I called, my voice rougher than I meant it to be.
She stopped halfway down the dock.
Turned.
The light was behind her now, outlining her in gold.
“No,” she said, smiling — slow, knowing, dangerous in the quietest way.
“That wasn’t it.”
I was already on my feet, barefoot, jogging after her, the cool planks of the deck and then the dock grounding me just enough to keep up.
She waited, head tilted, that same unreadable smile curving her mouth.
I stopped a few feet away, breathing harder than the distance warranted, suddenly afraid to crowd her. Afraid she’d vanish if I moved too fast.
“That,” she said, stepping closer until she was right in front of me, “was just a glimpse.”
She reached up and brushed her thumb across my bottom lip like she was memorizing it.
“Find me later,” she said softly. “After work. Same place.”
Her eyes held mine — blue, deep, full of promise she hadn’t explained.
Then she turned and walked away without looking back.
Heels dangling from one hand.
Gone.
I stood there barefoot in the early light, heart racing, watching her disappear toward the street.
She’d come out of nowhere.
She’d left just as easily.
And I already knew —
I’d spend the whole day chasing the rest of her.
CHAPTER 2
ETHAN
Friday hitdifferent after a night like that.
I skipped the gym for the first time in months — not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t have time. Coffee first. Shower fast. Hair landed just right, like it knew something I didn’t.
I caught my reflection once in the mirror and almost laughed.
Same guy.
Different energy.
By the time I walked into the office, I could feel it.
Heads lifted. Paused. Lifted again.
