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Her lips pressed together, tension building again. “Why do you care?”

That question sat between us for a second.

I kept my eyes on those hazel eyes of hers that had no business being that damn distracting at a time like that, studying them longer than I should’ve.

I let the silence stretch, not because I didn’t have an answer, but because I wasn’t ready to look away.

“Let’s just say…” I began slowly, “I don’t like seeing two people who clearly belong in each other’s lives standing on opposite sides of a locked door.”

Ajori studied me for a moment, then she let out a quiet breath. “Sometimes the door isn’t locked; it’s been shut for so long you learn how to live without what’s on the other side.”

Damn.

Ajori didn’t wait for a response. She turned and walked past me, her scent lingering just long enough to be distracting.

And just like that, she was gone.