~ SEASONS OF HER~

STILL WATERS

I don't know how long I had been gone.

Somewhere between the amber light and the sound of glass shattering on a restaurant floor, I had slipped all the way back, and the present had simply ceased to exist.

It was Mark's voice that pulled me out.

"Cathy… are you okay?"

The past dissolved all at once, like a fist unclenching.

I blinked, drawing myself back into Leo's room, the warmth of the small body breathing steadily between us, the quiet that had nothing to do with peace.

"Did you hear what I said?" Mark asked.

"No," I said. "Repeat it."

"I'll be going on a business trip. About two weeks."

Of course.

"Where?"

"Zurich first. Then possibly Dubai. We're closing a major deal infrastructure, mixed-use developments. It's big."

That was Mark. Always chasing the next big thing. It also meant distance. Convenient distance.

He watched me as he spoke, scanning my face.

"That sounds important," I said simply.

"I also invited Xavier over for dinner before I leave. Thought it'd be good to catch up properly. I hope that's okay?"

There it was.

A subtle tightening curled in my chest. My expression didn't change.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

He nodded. "Thursday night. I'll have Clara arrange everything."

"I'll handle it," I said. "It's just dinner."

"Alright".

I soon fell asleep.

Morning came too soon.

Leo was already awake, eyes bright. "Mommy!"

"Hey, my love." I kissed his forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Good!"

Emails could wait. This couldn't.

I made breakfast, pancakes, fruit, too much syrup. Leo laughed when I pretended to steal his plate. For a while, the world was simple again.

Mark stayed too. Sleeves rolled up, tie undone, looking like a version of himself that belonged here. He listened as Leo retold the same story three times with increasing exaggeration and laughed. Really laughed.

I watched him from across the table.

This version of him still existed.

That was the problem.

"I'll be late tonight," he said.

"Okay."

His eyes lingered on Leo soft. Then on me briefly.

"Thursday. Dinner."

"I remember."

The door closed with quiet finality. Leo tugged at my hand. I gave him a small smile.

The week moved steadily, leaving little room for thinking. Which was exactly what I needed.

Work filled most of my days' client meetings, site visits, endless revisions.

Mornings belonged to Leo. Mark lingered more that week too. Always the dutiful father. Always consistent where it mattered most.

And I… let it be enough.

By Wednesday, my phone buzzed relentlessly during a consultation. The Tribe.

Vanessa: Emergency. Baby shopping. Amelia has zero taste. Hormones are dangerous. Amelia: I picked neutral tones! Lila: Your "neutral" is aggressive beige. Vanessa: It looks like a sad hotel room. Amelia: I hate all of you.

I laughed under my breath.

Thursday came faster than expected.

Dinner. Xavier.

I hadn't thought about it much or at least, I had told myself that. But as I stood in my closet scanning rows of carefully chosen pieces, I knew better.

I chose something simple. A fitted black dress, minimal jewelry.

The table was set by the time I stepped downstairs.Leo was running through the living room with entirely too much energy for someone who had looked sleepy twenty minutes earlier.

The doorbell rang.

"Xavier," Mark greeted.

"Mark," Xavier replied, stepping inside.

And just like that, the air shifted.

"Hi," I said.

His gaze found mine instantly that brief, unguarded moment before everything settled back into place.

"Hi," he returned, a small smile forming.

"Who's that?" Leo's voice cut in.

Xavier crouched to his level. "And you must be Leo."

"Do I know you?"

"You were very little when he left," I explained.

Xavier extended his hand. "I'm Xavier."

Leo hesitated exactly one second before shaking it. "I'm Leo," he said proudly.

Something about the exchange easy, natural .

Dinner flowed more smoothly than expected. Conversation stayed light at first, Leo carrying most of the energy. But as plates were cleared and glasses refilled, the tone shifted. Business. It always did with Mark.

"So how's the expansion going?" Mark asked.

"Better than expected. The branch is almost ready interiors and branding are the final phase."

"That's fast."

"I don't like delays," Xavier replied.

A small smirk from Mark. "Neither do I."

Then Xavier's gaze shifted. To me.

"I've actually been meaning to talk to you about that. The design."

Something in my chest tightened.

"I follow your projects. Quietly," he added. "You've built something… impressive."

"You've seen my work?"

"More than you think."

There was something in the way he said it something that lingered just beneath the surface.

"I want you to handle the design for the new branch," he said simply.

Even Mark shifted in his seat.

"That's… a big project," I said carefully.

"I know. That's why I'm asking you. I wouldn't trust anyone else with it."

The words landed heavier than they should have.

Mark cleared his throat. "Her firm is more than capable." Neutral , but he felt it too. The shift. He just chose not to touch it. Yet.

"I'll think about it," I said.

Xavier's gaze held mine a second longer than necessary.

"Take your time," he replied.

But something told me he already knew my answer.

What I hadn't decided yet — was whether that frightened me or not.