the window in my room. As usual, the city looked to be

the faint aroma of coffee, for reasons I couldn't exactly describe. Pulling on my old traine

ver, I felt like I was walking a bit more slowly today, and I kept thinking about those sharp grey eye

st likely completely forgotten about you." I couldn't stop wondering, though, as I made my way to the café th

patrons. Behind the counter, Mia was juggling a tra

rena!" she yelled

ng on a fake grin while faste

and avoiding the occasional coffee spill. However, despite my hectic schedule, I coul

uneasy feeling that my back might collapse at any second. I took a moment t

oughts had called him. Alexander Steele

ad been the day before, an

w, Mia said, "Lorena." "He's bac

red as it felt, I shook my head r

erve another client. I forced myself to move as I swallowed hard. I could f

a little tremor in my voice. "W

lips formed a little smile. "Miss Matthews, I'll have a black

First, I'll grab your coffee. My hands fumbling

ent despite my sense of her interest. I went back

rteous as he remarked, "I

e seat opposite him, I

by saying, "I wanted to thank you," keeping his eyes fixed on mine. "For yesterday." I don't typically spend much

. It takes me back to a simpler period before life beca

orner of his mouth twitched. "Something along those lines." We both remained sile

destructible character I had envisioned. "Lorena, do

t was a surprise question. "I suppose I used to. H

one we were intended to follow. However, it's always possible to alter course. I felt a glimmer of

there,

ing close to our table, her black hair falli

her clothes immaculate. Alexander's visage softened a l

woman's nicely arched eyebrow raised as her eyes shifted to mine. "I didn't k

need," Victoria responded with ease, a smile that stopped short

as I was leaving, that I had just entered a fa