Mira learned something very important the morning after she and Adrian almost kissed.
Almost was worse than nothing.
Nothing was clean. Manageable. Easy to ignore.
Almost lived in your bones.
She stood behind the café counter aggressively rearranging cups that were already perfectly arranged, her mind replaying the exact moment Adrian's hand had brushed hers on the bridge. Not a grab. Not a dramatic pull.
Just enough.
Just enough to haunt her.
"You're committing violence against those mugs," Leo observed, lounging in a chair like he paid rent.
Mira didn't look up. "They know what they did."
Leo squinted. "Is this about Adrian?"
"No."
Leo nodded. "So yes."
Adrian was late.
This was the second important sign that the universe was about to be irritating.
He was never late. Even after leaving crowns and schedules behind, Adrian still moved through life like time owed him respect.
Mira kept glancing at the door.
Kept pretending she wasn't.
Leo noticed everything.
