He switches, softer. “Vitaly.”
My chest loosens a fraction.
“You’re not alone in this,” he says. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I swallow. “You should. Before she sees your face more than she has to.”
“I don’t scare that easy.” He nudges my arm with his shoulder. “And I don’t abandon people I care about.”
The words hit something raw inside me.
People I care about.
People who get hurt because of me.
“Noah…” I start.
He cuts me off gently. “Hey. Look at me.”
I do.
His expression is calm, with that quiet bravery I wish I had half of. “Whatever that envelope is? We’ll figure it out. You don’t have to walk into this alone.”
My throat tightens.
He taps my apron pocket where my phone is. “And text her back.”
I shake my head. “I shouldn’t.”
“Yes, you should.” A smile flickers at the edge of his mouth. “She made you laugh, right?”
I nod.
“Feels good, yeah?”
More than good.
Dangerous in a sweet way.
Like warmth settling in bones that forgot they could thaw.
“Then text her,” Noah says. “Start small. Coffee. Dinner. Whatever you want.”
Whatever I want.
I want her smile again.
Her voice.
The way she looked at me like she already knew the shape of my soul.
Noah steps back to give me space, but he stays in the doorway, making sure I know he’s still here.
I slide the envelope under the register.
Pull out my phone.
My thumb hovers over the screen.
