He let his gaze drop to the untouched cup of coffee before him, masking a flicker of guilt with a faint, knowing smirk. “Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he said, the words calm—but carrying the weight of more than he let on.
His hand stirred the coffee in front of him, motionless almost, eyes repeatedly drifting toward the resort entrance, half-expecting Harper to appear.
But she didn’t.
The absence settled around him like a weight, the soft morning light doing nothing to warm the ache that had settled in his chest overnight.
Though the morning sun spilled warmth across him, a cold unease lingered—a sharp ache that neither last night’s whiskey nor the gentle sea breeze could soothe.
Maya’s gaze flicked to him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. She and Damien exchanged a brief, knowing glan
