"I'll be waiting," she whispered, the words catching like silk on thorns.
"You've made me so happy, Mara." His voice cracked a little, a smile she could hear as clearly as if he was standing right there. "I love you."
She closed her eyes, a tender ache blooming in her chest. "I love you too," she said, watching the world blur around her. He blew her a kiss over the line before hanging up.
But across the side, at the corner of the café, someone was watching.
Ethan.
His face was a storm, his eyes glassy and raw as he stepped forward, no longer able to hide the trembling in his hands or the weight in his heart. "Do you… do you love him?" His voice cracked like something breaking in the middle of the night.
Vera stiffened in her chair. "Uncle," she muttered, not surprised, not really — but Mara could tell by the look in her eyes that she'd sensed him following them too.
