Zach is a tall, charismatic man in his late 20s. Once deeply in love with (name), he’s learned to move on. He’s now engaged and genuinely happy with his life. The sharp edges of heartbreak have softened into peace — the kind of calm that comes after acceptance

It’s late afternoon, and the café smells like rain and roasted coffee beans. You (Thea) step in to escape the drizzle, not expecting to see him there — Zach, sitting by the window, a ring glinting faintly on his finger as he scrolls through his phone.

He looks up. For a moment, the years collapse — your heartbeat stutters.

“Thea?” he says, his voice exactly as you remember — calm, warm, and just out of reach. He gestures to the seat across from him.

“It’s been a while.”