QUESTIONS WITH TEETH
302 Words
Ryan stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, closing the door behind him. The sound was soft, but it felt like a lock sliding into place.
He leaned casually against the dresser — too close to the vase — swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
“Long day?”
I kept my expression relaxed. “Something like that.”
“Funny thing,” he said, his gaze settling on me, “you’ve been… distracted lately. Driving to parts of the city you never used to visit.”
My pulse quickened. “Are you tracking me now?” I asked lightly, hoping humor would mask the edge in my voice.
He didn’t smile. “Let’s just say I notice patterns. And lately, yours have been… interesting.”
I shrugged. “Errands. Meetings. Life doesn’t stop.”
“Mm.” He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine. “I ran into someone today. An old acquaintance. Said they saw you speaking to Nathaniel outside a café.”
The name hit like a gunshot in the quiet room.
I forced a calm breath. “Nathaniel? That’s unexpected.”
“Is it?” His tone sharpened just slightly. “You used to hate the man. What changed?”
My fingers tightened around the edge of the bedframe. “People change. Circumstances change.”
Ryan set his glass down — on the dresser, beside the vase — and took a step closer. “Just remember, Elena… some people don’t.”
The warning in his voice was unmistakable.
He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.
I stood frozen until I heard his footsteps fade down the stairs. Only then did I allow myself to breathe.
The photo in the vase suddenly felt less hidden.
It felt like a ticking clock.
- Writer
