Three years later, I flew to Westhill for an industry summit and stayed at a hotel by Silvermere Lake.
That afternoon, I stepped out of the venue and waited for my car at the entrance.
A food delivery e-bike pulled up by the curb. The rider was scrolling through orders on his phone.
Then I caught his profile.
I froze. It was Carter.
He had lost a significant amount of weight. A yellow delivery uniform hung loosely on his frame, his helmet hooked onto the handlebar.
Stubble shadowed his chin. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes were deeper than they had been three years ago.
He didn't notice me. He was on a call with a customer. "Hello, your order is on its way. I'm at the hotel entrance. Would you mind coming down to pick it up?"
His tone was polite, almost subservient.
I st
