shock after the suffocating tension in the coffee shop. I

with her mother. Lost in thought, she slowed to a halt near a storefront, trying to steady her breathing. She didn't no

up to apologize. Her words caught in her

s touch was firm but gentle. "It's alright," his

barrassment. "It's you. Sorr

arms. "You handled it with grac

oked at him properly for the first time. He was handsome, in a quiet, understated wa

e asked, frowning slight

ve been formally introduced. I'm Hunter Orozco. I wa

he background of Leo's college photos sharpened into focus.

lt like a lifeline. It eased the awkwardness of the sit

smile finally reaching her eyes. "W

" he replied smoothly, the pre-prepared line roll

ctly plausible. Anika nodded, acce

ently in her purse, a frantic, insistent b

and declined the call. A second

s sympathetic. "

ding here with her brother's old roommate, a near

beside them. The words felt heavy on her tongue. She didn't mention Kyle-that

e tight with the effort of maintaining her composure. "She

eyes. He didn't need a private investigator to tell him about Kyle Tucker. Leo's late-night rants during their senio

ird time. Defeated, Ani

rill and furious, erupted from the speaker. "Anika, Mr. Price

hes from her ear. Hunter could

ng with your life? I'm giving you one week, Anika! One week to find a suitable

eat hung in the air between

ed the phone. She looked up at Hunter, her eyes wide w

agged breath. It wasn't a statement. It