Andrew's forty-eight hours in Manila passed in a blur of small gestures that chipped away at Carrie's defenses. Surprise lunches dropped at her office. Coffee delivered exactly the way she liked it, no explanation needed. A quiet presence when she was overwhelmed, a teasing remark when she was too serious.
She kept telling herself it was nothing. Just charm. Just a man with too much time on his hands. But her heart, stubborn as ever, betrayed her. Every thoughtful move, every easy grin, every unexpected call chipped away at the armor she had so carefully built.
On the last night before his flight back to the U.S., Andrew waited patiently in the lobby of her building while Carrie wrapped up a late meeting. He did not complain, did not pester her with calls or texts. He simply sat with his
