Chapter 52. The Invitation

The atmosphere in the pastry shop suddenly shifted, turning colder and heavier. Calla’s hand froze mid-air, the paper napkin still between her fingers. She turned toward the voice, her breath catching. What is he doing here? And more than that, he clearly knew this girl Eli had bumped into.

Rico stood a few steps away, dressed in a dark shirt and slacks that made him look completely out of place among the bright colors and sugary smell of the shop. His gaze locked on her, dark and unreadable, almost disbelieving.

Calla’s stomach tightened. She didn’t expect to see him here, definitely not in a small pastry shop in the middle of the afternoon. He didn’t belong in places like this. She didn’t belong in his world either, but at least she was used to that.

“Uhm, nothing, Rico. Just a little accident,” the girl, whom he’d called Sofia, said with a soft laugh. She bent down to Eli’s level, her smile kind and easy. “It’s okay, buddy. I’ll get you another ice cream.”