My cheeks burned as I stepped into the cool evening air, the smell of the polluted city null in the presence of Zacharias’ pheromones. We were so close that it seemed my molecules—my genetic makeup—shuddered with angst. I hadn’t felt that I had missed him. Not until this moment, at least. It took all I had to resist thrusting myself into his arms. I couldn’t even look at him.
I watched his feet facing the street step to the side before facing me. Fancy dress shoes in place of the black boots he usually sported. He wore dress pants as well. I couldn’t see him joining my father and I for a meal. I wondered why he was dressed so nicely. It wasn’t as though he needed to make a first impression with me. He had made one five years ago. It was one I wouldn’t soon forget.
I breathed in deeply, a
