I realized what I’d said. Realized I’d included myself in his future, in his healing, in something that wasn’t my place to offer.
“I mean, Noah and you. You’ll find something new together. With him.”
But we both knew that wasn’t what I’d meant.
The moment stretched. Adrian stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time, or maybe like he was trying to memorize me before I disappeared. The fire crackled. The wind howled. And between us, something shifted that couldn’t be unshifted.
“I should go to bed,” I said finally, because the weight of whatever was happening was too much to carry.
“Yeah. You should.”
But neither of us moved.
“Elise.” My name on his lips sounded different than before. Softer. More real.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For today. For Noah. For, for this.” He gestured
