(Julia POV)
I'm standing on the curb, coffee cup crushed in my hand, staring at my phone after texting Andrew, like Luke just heard me say. The street's buzzing, cars honking, a bike courier zipping past, but I barely notice. Luke's still by his car, keys jingling as he waves me off, saying, "Don't let Xavier win," his grin fading into the midday glare. I nod, turning away. My boots scuff the pavement as I head home, phone clutched tight. Andrew hasn't answered, not a peep, and it's gnawing at me, that silence.
I weave through the crowd, shoulders brushing against suits and shoppers, my scarf flapping loose. Luke's voice from earlier, when he asked, "When do I meet the kid?", keeps bouncing in my head, and my dodge, "He's with my mom", feels flimsier every time. Jake's safe there, always
