He stared at her.
"Julian Vale?"
The name of the voice landed before the face did. Then both arrived at the same time, and Julian stood very still for exactly two seconds.
"Let me call you back," he said into the phone. He didn't wait for a response before putting it in his pocket.
He looked at her.
"Yvette." The name came out flat with surprise. "Yvette Alcantara."
"Yes." She pressed a hand briefly to her chest like she needed to confirm it herself.
"In the flesh." A short laugh escaped her, the same laugh he remembered, the one that arrived before she had decided if something was funny or just shocking. "Oh my God."
She moved toward him with her arms already opening and Julian took a half step back and extended his hand instead. Clean, clear, deliberate.
Yvette looked at the hand. Then she looked at him.
