The clatter of trays, the buzz of conversation—none of it reached Kai.

He sat at the usual table, elbow on the edge, twirling a silver ring between his fingers. A habit. A distraction. One that wasn’t working.

Because there she was.

Wearing his hoodie. Still oversized on her. Still meant nothing to anyone else. And walking beside some guy he didn’t recognize. Tall. Broad. Confident.

Kai’s fingers stilled.

He watched the guy say something, saw her laugh—bright, easy, like she didn’t feel the weight of his stare across the cafeteria. Like her laugh hadn’t always been his favorite sound.

She sat down at a table near the doors, the guy sliding into the seat beside her like he belonged there. Too close. Way too close.

“She’s with someone?” Michael asked, not looking up from his plate.

“Apparently,” Damon said, eyes flicking to Kai. “You alright, lover boy?”

Will gave a low snort. “Looks like he’s about to murder someone with a spoon.”

Kai didn’t answer.

He just leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, ring forgotten. His gaze never left her.

When she finally looked over—just a glance, like maybe she’d sensed something—her smile faltered. Her eyes met his across the room.

Kai didn’t blink. Didn’t smile. Didn’t look away.

She quickly turned back to the guy beside her, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

But she had.

And she’d feel it.

Because he hadn’t said a single word… But she’d just lost his silence.