Kyle read the message three times before he typed anything.
Total recall meant he didn't need to. Every word was already burned into his memory. But this wasn't about remembering. It was about not ruining the moment with the wrong reply.
"Too eager and she runs. Too cold and she thinks I'm playing her."
Behind him, Ella and Jane were still fighting over the last spoonful of sticky toffee pudding. Cassandra had her eyes closed in the armchair, half asleep, half listening.
Kyle stepped into the hallway and leaned against the wall. It was already past midnight.
[[Kyle: Thank you for reaching out, Maya. I know it wasn't easy.]]
He waited a second, then added another.
[[Kyle: Tomorrow works. You pick the place. Somewhere public, somewhere you feel safe. I'll come alone.]]
The reply took four minutes. Kyle counted every one of them.
[[Maya: The café across from Regent's Park. The one with the green door. 2 PM.]]
[[Maya: If you're lying to me, I'm leaving.]]
