“I HEARD you were having trouble.”
The voice came from behind her, smooth and familiar in a way that made Lily’s stomach drop before she even turned around.
She had chosen this place because it was neutral. Quiet. A small café just off the edge of town that smelled like cinnamon and burnt espresso, where Christmas lights were still strung in the windows even though the holiday had passed. It felt safe in the way public places were supposed to feel safe.
Apparently, that was a lie too.
Lily turned slowly, fingers tightening around the warm mug in front of her.
Robert Hale stood a few feet away, hands in the pockets of his wool coat, dark hair neatly styled like he had stepped out of a magazine spread instead of back into her life. He looked healthy. Calm. Put together in a way that mad
