rway, her heels tapping against the polished wood floor. The sharp scent of gin mingled with the faint sweetness perfume and the bitterness of cof

at a corner table, one hand casually resting on the back of a chair. His tailored navy suit fit perfe

ickening. As she sat down, Thompson's eyes flicked

n?" he asked, sign

" she replied, her voice

orry-I won't judge. Much." He turned to the bartender

the soft hum of conversation, the clinking of ice against glass, and the occasional burst of l

is often, do you?" Thompson asked

ve a small laugh, tucking a

"A little. But it's refreshing. Most people here..

just trying to find my footing," she adm

oftening. "Starting over can be tough. But

glimpse of something deeper beneath his polished exterior. She found herse

about her struggles and dreams, her voice growing steadier with each word. Thompson listen

the table. His hand brushed hers, warm and steady, sending an unexpec

e," he murmured, his thu

d, a voice cut through

omp

rd their table, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. Her

xpectedly. His voice was calm, but

demanded, her gaz

ing. She opened her mouth to

e rising. "So this is why you've been

hands raised in a placating gestur

e trembling with fury. "I trusted you, T

that wasn't hers. She stood abruptly, her cha

in place. "You don't get to just

hompson, who looked torn, his usually comp

his voice firm. "This

fair when you started... whatever thi

ir, frustration evident in his eve

?" Maya demanded

in around them. Emily felt her pulse hammering in her

turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving

poke. The noise of the bar seem

y said, his voice low. "I di

efore she could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. S

k. Call me as

ame made her b

n the screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unable to move, her mind racing with questions that had no clear a

ings no one could know unless they were... watching. The hairs on the back of her neck stood

his gaze as it lingered on her from across the table. Emily glanced at him, her chest tightening as his eyes locked wit

too calm. His words felt like an invitation, but his pos

deeply, but knowing she had no choice. "It's... it's a warning," she finally said, her voice bare

g as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing

it was, but she felt something shift in the air, a sense of danger inching closer with every secon

ice was a little sharper now, hi

e. The question wasn't just about the message; it was about everything. About the way he'd been wat

ure on her chest, and she wondered if he, too, had been receiving strang

e quickly tried to compose herself, but the cold swea