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And Havoc, all rough edges and sharp silence,melts.

Not in some obvious, sentimental way.

But in the way his shoulders drop a fraction.

The way his jaw stops grinding.

The way his eyes follow her like she’s the only thing that makes sense.

It’s the smallest shift. But I see it. And it makes something tighten deep in my chest.

I don’t even know them.

But I know I’ve never had anything like that.

And suddenly, I want to.

I want that.

Something solid.

Something safe that doesn’t feel like a cage.

“You doing okay out here?” Sage asks gently.

I nod. “Better than I thought I would.”

Not a lie.

Not the whole truth either.

But enough for now.

“You just moved to Lovestone Ridge?”

“Yeah. About a month ago,” I murmur. “Was planning to stay.” I hesitate. Then add, “But plans changed.”

Sage doesn’t push. Just waits.

I glance down at the plate in my hands. “Anyway. I didn’t open the coffee truck yesterday. Didn’t call in. I probably lost the job.”

Havoc finally speaks. “You didn’t.”

I look up. “How?”

“You didn’t quit. You had to leave. That’s not the same.”

“I didn’t open the truck—”

“You’re covered,” he says.

I blink. “Someone’s running it?”

Sage bites into her cake, eyes sparkling. “You’ll love this part.”

I narrow my eyes. “Who?”

She lets the moment hang. Then: “Viper.”