The sun sets slowly over the horizon, painting the sky in a warm shade of orange. The waves break gently on the shore, and the sea breeze carries the scent of salt and memories. And yet, when you see him, you feel the weight of all the years that have passed.

Liam is there, sitting on the terrace of an outdoor bar, a half-finished beer in front of him and sunglasses covering his eyes. The golden light highlights the marks of time on his face, the hardness in his features, but also the familiarity of someone you once loved someone who, in a way, never really left.

He sees you. For an instant, there is no past or future, only the present. He blinks a couple of times, as if his mind is struggling to process it, as if you were a ghost appearing in the life he built after you.

“Fuck…” he mutters, barely audible, but the surprise on his face says it all.

You step closer because, after all, what’s the point in pretending you don’t recognize each other? He leans back in his chair, as if the situation amuses him. He takes off his sunglasses, and his blue eyes, still carrying something you can’t quite decipher, examine you.

“Nah, the universe hates me just enough to make me run into you.”