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Jude’s full lips tilt to one side.

“There she is.”

My breath catches.

His smile grows, not huge because Jude never seems to do anything huge, but real and warm enough that for some reason it makes me nervous.

I wipe beneath my eye and laugh awkwardly.

“I've been here almost a week.”

“No, you haven’t.”

The smile stays on my lips, but something inside me stops.

His eyes search mine with that knowing look of his, and somehow knowing that he sees me doesn’t make me want to run or leave me feeling exposed.

It makes me feel seen.

My throat tightens.

“Where was I?”

Jude looks at me for a long moment before one shoulder lifts.

“Somewhere else.”

I look down.

“Yeah.”

A sunflower brushes against my arm, and I run my fingers over its petals.

“I think I don’t know how to come back.”

“I know.”

My eyes lift to his.

There is no lecture, no you need to try or Damiano would want you to be happy. God, I hate that one. Jude just looks at me as if not knowing how to come back is something I’m allowed to admit without him immediately trying to tell me how.

My eyes burn again.

“You always know.”

“Most things.”

I snort.

His mouth twitches.

“Cocky.”

“Observant.”

“Annoying.”

“That too.”