-MIA-
By the time Asher parked near the small jazz bar tucked into the theater district, my heart was still weak. I could feel the moon pendant pressing against my collarbone, the cold metal refusing to warm with my skin, like it was insisting I hadn’t earned it.
My old insecurities had arrived in full force, whispering that I’d never be enough to stand beside Asher the way Linda once did.
I was trying—really trying—not to dwell on it. Not on my birthday. Not on whether the sun pendant had once belonged to her.
How do you compete with someone who’s already gone?
Linda was perfect in Asher’s memory. Untouched by time. Untouched by flaws.
And worse, untouched in his heart.
"What is this place?" I asked as we stepped out of the car, facing the stairs carved into the sidewalk, leading u
