Only His On Paper
The whole day had felt off-beat: customers spoke too softly, the air smelled too sweet, and Lily laughed in her sleep as if some hidden part of the universe had finally exhaled.
I brewed mint tea anyway. Habit. Poured two cups even though I was alone. Then I stood there, mug cooling in my palms, and listened—really listened to the sound of nothing crashing down around me. No sirens. No camera shutters. No boardroom voices turning love into collateral.
Just the tide.
A knock cut through it.
Not loud, but certain.
I froze, heartbeat thundering into my throat. No one knocked after closing; tourists stumbled in by mistake, but they rattled the handle first. Whoever stood on the other side knew I