Frank Vernon.
Breakfast?
A second message followed almost immediately.
Before you reject me, this isn’t a date.
Three dots appeared.
Then another message.
Okay. It might be a little bit of a date.
For the first time that day…
Raina smiled.
A small one.
Barely there.
But real.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at a quiet café overlooking the river.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Soft music.
The scent of fresh coffee.
Sunlight spilling across polished wooden tables.
Frank was already there.
One arm still recovering.
A ridiculous grin already waiting for her.
“You came.”
“You asked.”
“That’s practically the same thing.”
Raina shook her head and sat down.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The silence felt surprisingly comfortable.
Not heavy.
Not awkward.
Just easy.
F
