That doesn’t mean he isn’t aware. Or that he doesn’t care.
It means he made a choice.
And choices always tell me what I need to know.
Aaron glances toward the counter. “I’ve got to get back, but I’ll check in before my break, okay?”
“Okay,” I say easily.
He hesitates, then adds, “Thanks for coming by.”
I meet his eyes. “You’re welcome. Thanks for hanging out with me.”
His eyes twinkle. “Anytime.”
He walks away, and I sit there a moment longer, alone with my coffee and my thoughts. The bustle of the café continues around me, unbothered by the shift that just occurred.
Aaron returns before his break. I tell him I need to go. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.
I like Aaron.
But my heart belongs to someone else.
He looks slightly disappointed, but says he understands. I pat his arm and smile, promising to come around again soon. That seems to appease him.
I finish my drink, gather my things, and stand.
As I walk toward the door, I feel lighter—not dismissed or defeated.
Outside, the air is crisp. I pause on the sidewalk, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.
As I walk away, the ghost of Sebastian lingers.
He wanted distance. Boundaries.
I gave it to him.
And now we’ll see if he can live with it.
24
SEBASTIAN
I don’t go inside the café.
Instead, I stand across the street, far enough away that my reflection is not in the windows, but close enough that I can see Ivy clearly once she gets here.
I check my watch. 12:50 p.m.
I lean against the brick wall, my hands in my coat pockets, my posture loose enough that no one would look twice at me. I’ve done surveillance in worse places, with higher stakes. This should be nothing. I have, however, never conducted reconnaissance on a woman I’m pretending not to want while actively monitoring her café schedule.
I see her on the sidewalk, heading toward the café. She’s wearing dark jeans, a black top, and heels she doesn’t need but wears anyway. Her shiny brunette hair hangs in loose curls around her face.
I suck in a breath. She wears it like that for me.
Which is an absurd thing to think. Unfortunately, it is also correct.
My jaw tightens.
