Izzy.
Standing beyond the table.
Watching her.
Waiting.
For a second?—
Caitlin didn’t move.
Didn’t quite process.
“…Iz?” she said, the word barely there.
Izzy’s smile broke, soft and a little unsteady.
“Hey, Cate.”
That did it.
Caitlin’s hand flew to her mouth, tears hitting before she could stop them.
“Oh my God?—”
She didn’t walk.
She ran.
Izzy barely had time to set her glass down before Caitlin hit her, arms wrapping tight, holding on like she wasn’t letting go again.
“You’re here—” Caitlin’s voice broke. “You’re actually here?—”
Izzy held her tight, eyes closing as it landed.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I’m here.”
Caitlin pulled back just enough to see her, hands still on her arms like she needed to make sure she was real.
“I thought—” she laughed through tears. “I thought you were in Denver. I talked to you this morning?—”
“I know.”
“You lied to me.”
“I did.”
“I don’t even care.”
She pulled her back in, tighter.
“I missed you,” Caitlin said into her shoulder.
Izzy’s voice went even softer.
“I missed you, too.”
Around them, the room had gone quieter. Not silent. Just… respectful.
