Kyle slipped his phone back into his pocket and leaned against the brick wall of the café. The evening air was cool against his face, carrying the scent of rain and something floral from the hanging baskets above.
That went better than he expected.
He had been prepared for rejection. For Maya to tear up the paper, to walk away, to never look back. Instead, she had taken the address. She had hesitated, yes, but she had taken it.
"She's curious. That's all I need."
And Leo? Leo was an unexpected bonus. The boy was desperate, malleable, eager for guidance. Kyle had given him a card, a few kind words, and now Leo would report back without even realizing he was being used.
Not a spy. Just a kid who wants to be seen by the girl he likes.
Kyle pushed off the wall and started walking toward the main road. His watch read 5:15. He had been gone just over an hour—much sooner than he had anticipated.
"I expected to be at that library until closing. I expected to leave empty-handed."
