“I’ve been waiting all day to see you,” she said. “All day.”
I smiled into the embrace, warmth spreading through my chest.
“Well,” I said lightly, patting her back once, “here I am.”
She pulled back slowly, hands still gripping my arms as she looked at me properly. Not just a glance—a study. Her eyes moved over my face, my posture, the way I stood balanced and composed in front of her.
Something flickered there.
Suspicion, maybe. Or instinct.
She tilted her head slightly. “You look…” She trailed off, lips pressing together.
“Fine?” I offered.
She hummed softly, unconvinced but not ready to challenge it. “You do look fine,” she said after a moment. “Better than I expected, actually.”
I shrugged. “I’ve been better,” I said casually. “But I’m fine all the same.”
It was the truth. Ju
