[Elena's POV]

His smile widened slightly, something warm and sad flickering in his eyes.

"Not yet," he said. "But I hope you will."

"Bonjour, LENA!"

Nicole's voice burst from behind the tall, handsome stranger, and suddenly she was there, popping her head around his shoulder with that mischievous grin I'd missed so desperately.

"Surprise!"

The espressos nearly slipped from my hands.

"Nico!"

I barely managed to set the cups down on the nearest table before she launched herself at me, pulling me into a crushing hug that knocked the breath out of my lungs.

And I broke.

Right there in the middle of the café, surrounded by strangers and the...