He laughed. "I show up because you're here. You make this place worth the noise."
I paused, slightly thrown, but brushed it off with a playful nudge. "Flattery gets you nowhere, Reyes."
He looked at me then—really looked. "Maybe not. But it's true."
The silence lingered for a second too long. I busied myself by fixing the strap on one of the practice heels left behind, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. Leo took a step forward, then hesitated. "If you ever need anything—anything at all—you know I'm around, right?"
I nodded, smiling faintly. "Thanks. I know."
He left after that, with a lingering glance that I still didn't fully understand. Or maybe I just didn't want to. Leo was... kind. Safe. But Aaron was home. Aaron was mine.
I stayed back longer than I needed to, pretending to work on choreography I didn't even write down. Just trying to push down the unease. By the time I got home, the sky was turning the color of old peaches, streaked with gold and bruised pinks. The house was quiet. Too quiet.
Aaron still wasn't back.
I checked my phone. No messages. I tried calling. Straight to voicemail.
A strange ache bloomed in my chest. I shook it off, blaming poor reception or a dead battery. I kicked off my shoes, made tea, and sat at the kitchen island with my phone in hand, staring at the empty space where his keys usually sat.
He was just catching up, I told myself. Just talking. I was being ridiculous.
But the voice was louder now. Stronger. Meaner.
What if she reminded him of who he used to be?
What if he missed that? Missed her?
I shut my eyes, hating how fast my heart was racing. Then I heard the keys in the lock.
I stood too quickly, nearly knocking over my tea. The door opened. Aaron stepped inside.
He looked... normal. Too normal.
"Hey, baby," he said, dropping his keys into the dish and reaching for me. But something in my belly turned to ice. Something about the way he kissed my cheek like he hadn't vanished for hours. Something about the scent on his jacket that didn't belong to me.
"Sorry I didn't answer," he added casually. "Lost track of time."
I smiled. But it didn't reach my eyes.
And something inside me—something quiet and knowing—curled into a ball and braced for impact.
Chapter Two: The Fateful Words
I went to his office.
I told myself it was just a sweet surprise. I needed to see him. Maybe kiss him behind his desk like I used to when we were still dreaming about our future instead of doubting it.
Beatrice, his coworker, greeted me at the front. She smiled, warm as always. "June! You look so good. Wedding countdown, huh?"
I smiled too, though it felt brittle. "Yeah. Almost there."
Then she added, with a tilt of her head, "I didn't know Aaron came in late today. Everything okay?"
I froze.
"Oh... yeah," I lied. "He just had something this morning. All good."
She nodded and led me back, knocking once before opening the door. "Your fiancée's here," she chirped before stepping away.
