Rebecca almost cancelled twice but Angelo had texted that morning:

Lunch again? I promise not to scare you off this time.

She smiled despite herself.

This time, the meeting was easier.

No nervousness. No guarded posture.

They met at a quieter café near the hospital where Angelo worked. He had rolled up sleeves today, no suit jacket — more relaxed, more real.

“You ran off dramatically last time,” he teased lightly.

“I had a valid reason.”

“I assumed.”

They laughed.

It was comfortable.

Angelo spoke about a surgery he had assisted in. About the fragility of life. About how he admired women who built empires and still showed up as...