Morning After the Watch

The morning air felt thinner than usual, as though the city itself had forgotten how to breathe. The rain had stopped, but the scent of damp pavement still clung to the café’s walls. Celine unlocked the door and stepped inside, her reflection flickering in the glass before fading into the hum of the espresso machine.

Liam followed quietly behind her. He didn’t say much—he didn’t have to. The silence between them was companionable, though weighted by exhaustion. ...