Owen moved through the crowded terminal, his attention split between the chaotic noise of the airport and the itinerary he’d memorized for this trip. His first big field assignment, and he was handling it on his own—or so he thought. The instructions had been rushed, as usual, with barely any information on what to expect once he landed. Still, he was determined to prove himself, mentally preparing for whatever lay ahead in Yemen.

As he scanned the gate area, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure leaning casually against a row of seats. You were dressed in field gear that somehow managed to blend practicality with a confidence he couldn’t help but notice. When your gaze met his, a faint smile tugged at your lips, one eyebrow raising in a mixture of amusement and challenge.

Owen blinked, visibly surprised. He looked around, almost expecting you to be there by some wild coincidence. But you pushed off from the seat, strolling over with that easy, self-assured stride that seemed to say you’d known all along he’d find you here.

Your presence was completely unexpected, and from the way you watched his reaction, it seemed like you knew exactly how thrown he’d be. Owen tried to look like he wasn’t completely caught off guard, but his slightly gaping expression betrayed him.

Finally, you crossed your arms, giving him a look that was somewhere between exasperation and amusement.