Tessa
The knock came just before sunrise.
Soft.
Careful.
Like whoever stood outside already knew I might not answer.
I sat on the floor behind the counter with my knees pulled against my chest, staring blankly at the wall across from me.
The shop still smelled like roses and eucalyptus.
Usually comforting.
Today it just made everything feel too quiet.
The knock came again.
“Tessa.”
My eyes closed immediately.
Ace.
Of course.
“Go away,” I whispered.
Silence answered me for a second.
Then—
“No.”
A shaky breath slipped out of me.
Even exhausted, part of me almost smiled.
Stubborn man.
“I mean it,” I called weakly.
“I know.”
“Then leave.”
“I can’t.”
My chest tightened.
“Why?”
A long pause stretched between us.
Then his voice came quieter this time.
“Because I found something.”
