I barely slept.
Not because I didn't try—
But because my mind wouldn't just… rest.
Every time I closed my eyes, I kept thinking about it. The money. Blake. The way he said tomorrow like it wasn't a suggestion.
By the time morning came, I already felt tired.
Work didn't help.
I did everything I was supposed to do—answered, arranged, corrected—but my mind kept drifting. I checked the time more times than I could count.
It felt like the day was moving slower on purpose.
By the time I stepped out of the building, I didn't even pretend to relax.
I just wanted it over with.
The place Blake mentioned wasn't far. A quieter street just a few turns away. Not empty, not crowded. Just enough people around to ignore whatever didn't concern them.
I spotted him almost immediately.
Of course I did.
He looked the same.
Calm.
Like none of this meant anything to him.
"You came," Blake said as I got closer.
I didn't respond to that.
"I sent it," I said instead, pulling out my phone slightly. "Check."
He watched me for a second.
Then slowly reached for his phone.
A few taps.
A pause.
Then a small nod.
"Alright."
That was it.
No argument. No extra talk.
I stood there for a moment longer than I should have.
Waiting… without meaning to.
"Next time," he said casually, slipping his phone back into his pocket, "don't wait this long."
Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten a little.
But I just nodded.
"I won't."
He looked at me one last time.
Then turned and walked away like the whole thing had barely taken any effort.
I stayed there for a few seconds after he left.
Just standing.
Letting it settle.
It was over.
At least… this part of it.
"You handled it."
The voice came from beside me this time.
Calm. Familiar.
I turned.
Cole.
"You've been here for how long?" I asked, a bit sharper than I intended.
"Long enough," he said.
I let out a breath and looked away.
"It's settled," I said.
He nodded once. "Good."
Silence settled between us.
Not awkward.
Just quiet.
"I didn't expect any of this," I said after a moment.
"Most people don't," he replied.
I let out a small, tired laugh.
"Yeah… I guess that's true."
We started walking without really planning to.
Same direction.
Same pace.
"I'll sort things out from here," I added, more to myself than to him.
"Yeah," he said. "You will."
I glanced at him.
"You sound very sure."
He didn't answer immediately.
Just kept walking.
Then—
"You don't look like someone who lets things get out of control."
I frowned slightly. "You don't even know me."
That was when he finally looked at me.
Not long.
Just a second.
"Sometimes you notice things before you even mean to," he said.
Something about that made me pause inside.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… noticeable.
I looked away first.
"You say that like you've been paying attention," I said lightly.
A small pause.
Then—
"I have."
The answer came too easily.
Too simple.
I turned to him again, properly this time.
But he was already looking ahead, like he hadn't just said something that didn't sound normal.
"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.
That made him pause slightly.
Then he shook his head once.
"Forget it," he said.
And just like that, he moved on.
I didn't push it.
But the question stayed.
Because that wasn't a normal answer.
We walked a little further before reaching a split in the road.
I slowed down.
"This is me," I said.
He nodded.
"Alright."
I hesitated for a second.
"Thanks… for everything."
He glanced at me briefly.
Then gave a small nod, like it wasn't something he needed to talk about.
"Take care," he said.
"You too."
He turned and walked off.
I stood there for a moment before heading in my own direction.
Everything should have felt lighter.
And maybe it did.
A little.
But something about the last two days stayed in my mind.
Quiet.
Unsettled.
I reached for my phone In my bag after I found it vibrating and caller id brought the least person I was expecting to talk