Chapter 61. I Love You

Camila’s heels clicked against the uneven cobblestone path, each sharp tap resonating with the tension coiling inside her chest. The cool evening breeze tousled strands of her dark hair, carrying the faint scent of nearby jasmine. She moved with a grace that belied the turmoil churning within, each step deliberate, measured, as though she were walking a tightrope between curiosity and caution. Ahead, the wrought-iron bench gleamed faintly under the amber glow of the street lamps, and there, seated with an air of anxious anticipation, was Blake.

“Blake,” she greeted with a nod, her voice steady, even, betraying none of the surprise that threatened to color her features. The sight of him here, calling her out like this, stirred old memories she had carefully shelved.

“Camila.” He rose swiftly, the tailored lines of his suit accentuating the broad strength of his shoulders. His piercing green e