*Lucas*
I jump into my car, the engine roaring to life as I race toward the café where David is meeting Ashley’s friend. My heart pounds in my chest, as hope and anxiety are both swirling inside me. This could be the moment I’ve been waiting for, the moment that leads me back to her.
I pull into the café parking lot, spotting David leaning against the entrance, his phone in hand. He looks up as I approach, his expression serious. “You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah. Let’s find out what she knows,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady, even as my nerves threaten to take over.
We step into the café, the smell of coffee and baked goods filling the air. The bright lights and chatter of customers create a lively atmosphere, but I feel like I’m in a bubble, focused solely on the task at hand. We
