Three heads turn, but Lucy is first to react. “Ty! Have you come to join us?”
I glance at Vivian, who smiles a quiet hello, before turning my attention to the small group in front of me.
“We saw you come in,” I say, nodding toward the booth. “Rather, your brother’s twin radar went off when you entered the building.”
“Ha. I’m sure it did. Does he have the twenty bucks he owes me?” Lucy asks.
Eva leans in, amused. “What’s the twenty for?”
“Fantasy league,” Lucy says. “He lost and now refuses to acknowledge it.”
“It was disputed,” I add.
“But he is delusional,” Lucy corrects.
I move slightly, aware of where I’m standing, where they’re sitting, where the space opens and closes around us. It’s busy, but not loud enough to lose track of the conversation. Good.
I glance at Vivian again. “So, dinner huh?”
Lucy stares at me like I just asked her to buy beach property in Kansas. She waves her menu in the air. “Hopefully. It’s girls’ night.” She then points to the third person there with her and Vivian. “Sorry, Eva, but this is Ty. He’s on the Dominion with my brother.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says, offering a quick smile. “I’ve heard about you.”
“Good things?”
Eva nods as Lucy laughs. And Vivian…well, Vivian doesn’t say anything right away. But she’s still looking at me with that flicker I saw in the jewelry store. Recognition, but it’s layered with something more. I simply haven’t put my finger on what to call it yet.
Lucy glances over my shoulder. “Oh, that’s where you’re sitting.” She starts sliding off her stool, nudging Eva with her elbow as her eyes rock from Vivian then land back on me. “Come on.”
Eva blinks. “What?”
“You wanted to meet him,” Lucy says, giving Eva a gentle tug.
“I wanted to order some spring rolls.” Eva scowls, still clutching her menu, looking confused.
“I also want my twenty dollars.”
“So you’re going to march over and introduce me to get it? That feels passive-aggressive.”
Lucy shakes her head. “It’s not when it’s your brother and you were born ten minutes before he was.”
“I guess we’re going.” Eva laughs, but she’s already standing.
They disappear into the crowd, headed straight for the table. Leaving Vivian and me all alone.
Just us. Together.
I rest my hand against the bar as Vivian turns toward me fully now.
“So,” she says, one brow lifting. “Coincidence, or did you follow me here?”
“I was already here,” I say. “You walked into my location.”
Her mouth tips. “Your location.”
“Current operational zone.”
“Wow,” she says. “Very official.”
