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CHAPTER Twenty — DINNER

Author: Miranda Miley
last update Last Updated: 2025-12-28 10:06:20

Nora’s Point of View

I arrived a few minutes early.

Not out of nerves. Out of habit.

The restaurant was quiet without being empty. Soft lighting. Low voices. Nothing that demanded attention. I liked that immediately. It felt like a place people came to talk, not perform.

I chose a small table near the window, slid into the chair, and set my bag at my feet. My hands folded together in my lap like they were trying to behave. I didn’t check my phone. I didn’t pretend to be busy so I wouldn’t look like I was waiting.

I was waiting.

That was fine.

This wasn’t an escape.

It was a pause.

When he walked in, I recognized him instantly. The same easy posture from the café, like the world didn’t push too hard against his shoulders. He scanned the room, spotted me, hesitated for half a second, then smiled like he was relieved I was real and not an idea he’d talked himself into on the way over.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

We did the brief, awkward half-hug of two people still negotiating di
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