Mira's POV
The coffee shop was neutral territory.
Mira arrived first, ordering her usual—black coffee, one sugar. Kieran arrived minutes later, looking better than he had in months. The shadows under his eyes were gone. His shoulders were relaxed.
"Hey," he said, sliding into the booth across from her.
"Hey."
Through the mate bond, she felt his calm. His peace. The sharp edges of pain had smoothed into acceptance.
"Thanks for meeting me," Kieran said. "I know things are... complicated."
"They are. But Brielle needs us to figure this out."
"Agreed." He pulled out his phone. "I made a spreadsheet. Holidays, school events, birthdays. I want to make sure we're both there for the important things."
Mira looked at the detailed schedule he'd created. Every event color
