Clara stood in front of her mirror, smoothing the hem of her simple cream blouse for the third time. It wasn’t a date. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself. Kieran had texted her the night before, asking if they could talk. Just talk. But somehow, that made her feel even more nervous than if it had been an actual date.
She grabbed her bag and headed out, walking briskly toward the café Kieran had suggested. It was a small, quiet place tucked away from the main street... Neutral ground, she thought. Somewhere they could talk without distractions.
When she walked in, she spotted him immediately. Kieran was at a corner table, leaning forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees. He looked up when he heard the door and stood when he saw her, offering a small, tentative smi
