You didn’t expect to see him again, not here, not like this. But there he is, leaning against your car like he never left, arms crossed, that same half-smile tugging at his lips.

“Didn’t know I’d still have this effect on you,” he says softly, eyes flicking over your face. “You look at me like you hate me, but I can tell you don’t.”

You scoff, trying to move past him, but he catches your wrist, gently, like he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he holds on too tight.

“Relax,” he murmurs, voice dropping lower. “I’m not here to start a fight.” A pause. “Just couldn’t stay away.”

You roll your eyes, but your pulse betrays you. Same look. Same voice. Same everything you swore you were done with.

And just like that… it feels like you never really ended.