Chapter 12: Almost seen

Natalie’s POV

The city was dipped in dusk by the time I left the boutique.

The air had the crisp bite of early spring, whispering promises of new things just around the corner. My boots clicked softly against the pavement as I walked aimlessly, not toward anything in particular—just… away from the buzz of construction and decisions. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, this was tiring. Yes, it's something I wanted, but it was still tiring, all those decisions and designs I needed to make.

I passed by cafés, their windows glowing gold, filled with couples leaning across tables and people laughing into wine glasses. There was something strangely comforting about it. The way the city didn’t care if you belonged. It just kept moving, beating on.

I turned down a quieter street near Tribeca. Familiar in a way that made my stomach twist.

That’s when I saw him.

Luciano.

He was across the street, stepping out of a sleek black car with his usual ease, talking to someone— Jacob. His coat flared slightly with the breeze, hair tousled just enough to look effortless like it always did.

My heart stopped.

Oh shit.

Not in a poetic way. In the literal, panicked, chest-tightening kind of way.

I ducked slightly, half behind the frame of a florist’s doorway, instinct taking over before I could reason with myself.

He didn’t see me.

Thank God.

I lifted my head up to see what he was doing just in time to see him throw his head laughing at something Jack said

He looked good.

A little different from the time he was in London. his hair was a bit longer, and he seemed even leaner.

More grounded. Sharper. A man standing in everything he’d worked for.

And I was still watching him from across the street like a stalker.

What was I doing?

The only thing on my mind was ‘don’t ruin the surprise, don’t ruin it’, my hands began sweating. I quickly wiped them on my cardigan. I received strange looks from people who walked past, and I honestly could not be bothered. They could look all they wanted, I still would not move from my position unless Luke disappeared or went away.

My mind knew. What it knew, I wasn't sure what it knew, but it knew.

I thought—

Luciano turned slightly, facing Jake again, and they started walking toward a restaurant, our high school hangout spot. I hadn’t even realized how tightly I’d been holding my breath until they disappeared around the corner, and I finally let it go.

God.

I leaned against the brick wall of the florist, pressing a palm to my chest. I must have looked ridiculous.

It had been months since I last saw him. I missed him so much. we went from seeing each other every day to video calling every day to sometimes texting each other. especially when the seasons change, that's when I get the busiest.

Seeing him made me realise how long it's been since I last saw him.

I still felt like the world tilted a little when he entered the frame.

I could never understand why it did… or maybe I did and refused to acknowledge it, either way, it did

A florist inside caught my eye through the window and smiled gently, like she could see right through me. I nodded once, then pushed off the wall and started walking again, this time with a little more purpose.

I needed to get the boutique ready before he spotted me for real and ruined everything.

I had to do this and finish quickly.

I did not want him to see me without finishing everything here.