A reason for being in town that had nothing to do with coffee or distractions.
And then I saw her.
Standing just outside the café.
Sunlight caught in her hair like it had been waiting for her.
Laughing—soft, real.
And just like that?
Everything went sideways.
Because I knew that laugh.
Or at least… I thought I did.
“Blaze?”
Trigger’s voice crackled through my earpiece.
“You still with us or did you get distracted by something shiny again?”
I didn’t answer.
Didn’t move.
Because she turned.
And when she did—
Everything in my chest locked up.
“…no way,” I muttered.
Sixteen years.
And I’d know her anywhere.
Same eyes.
Same mouth.
Same habit of tucking her hair behind her ear when she was thinking.
“Blaze,” Trigger pushed. “Report.”
“I’ll call you back.”
“Wait—don’t—”
Too late.
I killed the comm and started walking.
She noticed me before I got there.
Smart.
