Chapter Two

Lila’s POV

The city seemed determined to place him in my path.

I saw Cole first at the narrow coffee counter three blocks from my building, the morning rush pressing bodies close under fluorescent light. He stood near the pickup end, already holding a black cup, attention lowered to his phone until the barista called a name that made him glance up. Our eyes met across the small space. Recognition landed without surprise, as if the rooftop night had already established a quiet continuity. He nodded once. I nodded back. The exchange lasted only seconds, yet the residual weight of his earlier attention returned full force, settling low...