raced, a storm of emotions crashing against her calm exterior. She couldn't stop thinking about Julian, about his promise to change, about t

er standing behind the counter, a rag in hand, wiping down the same spot over and over again.

ore. His presence seemed to fill the room, and Ava's pulse quickened, even though she knew he hadn't come to make a scene. He

u again so soon," she said

mall but sincere, and for a moment, Ava

y thinking that I'm rushing this, but I don't know how else to do it. I just... I want to be there for

so simple, yet they carried so much weight. Coul

ility in her voice stark against her usual resolve. "I've been doing it al

imself back. "But I want you to know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. And I'll wai

hadn't felt in years. Hope? Fear? She couldn't tell. What she did know was tha

spered, the weight of her own words sinking

o rest on the edge of the counter, close enough for her to feel the warmth o

was stronger than she cared to admit. But the fear of being hurt ag

ve a whisper. "Time to figure this out. Time to thin

erstanding. "I'm not rushing you, Ava. I just need

had paused, holding its breath, waiting for her to make a decision. And yet, no matter how much she wanted to reach for

said again, the words fee

ust the smallest hint of a smi

to believe him, to believe that he was truly different now, that he wouldn't walk away like before. Bu

y seemed to grow with each passing minute. She longed for things to be simple again-befo

e trust him with her heart-and with Ethan? And more than that, could she allow herself

e answers remained elusive, slipping further an