The walk with Lucien after coffee felt like a dream she couldn't wake from—a memory playing in real-time, only this time, she was awake inside it.
They strolled beneath rows of maple trees just starting to blush with autumn. He talked about his latest short story, about how the characters kept doing things he didn't plan. Aveline tried to keep up, tried to smile and nod in all the right places, but her focus kept drifting.
Every gesture he made tugged at a thread inside her.
The way he shoved his hands into his pockets.
The way he laughed at his own dumb jokes.
The way he glanced at her—not as a lover, not yet, but as someone who might be.
She realized something with a pang: he had no idea how much she loved him.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Lucien asked again as they reached the corner near the bookstore. "You've been a little spacey today."
Aveline stopped walking.
She looked up at him, trying to find the right lie that didn't feel like betrayal.
"I'm just… overwhelmed, I guess."
"With what?"
She hesitated. "Everything."
Lucien studied her. "You're not in trouble, are you? You didn't, like, rob a bank in your sleep and forget about it?"
She laughed—genuinely, despite herself. That was the thing about Lucien. He always found a way to make her laugh, even in the worst of storms.
"No. I promise I'm not a fugitive."
He smiled, slow and crooked. That smile—the one she thought she'd lost forever—nearly undid her.
"Alright. I believe you. But… if something's going on, you know you can talk to me, right?"
The kindness in his eyes was unbearable.
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I know."
A soft breeze swept between them, curling leaves around their ankles. She wished she could freeze this moment, keep him right here forever—alive, warm, real.
He looked at his watch. "I've got a meeting with my editor in twenty minutes. But if you're free tonight, want to grab dinner? No expectations. Just food. And my terrible attempts at charm."
Aveline hesitated. She wanted to say yes, scream yes—but her mind swirled with questions. If she said yes, was she changing something already? Was this when the ripples would begin?
Then again… wasn't that the point?
"Yes," she said. "Dinner sounds perfect."
Lucien grinned. "Great. I'll text you."
He turned and started walking away. She watched him go, heart pulling in his direction like a tide.
"Lucien?" she called.
He looked back. "Yeah?"
She took a shaky breath. "I'm really glad you're here."
He smiled, puzzled but warm. "I'm always here, Aves."
But you won't be, she thought.
You won't be unless I stop it.
Later That Night
Back at the boarding house, Aveline sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the silver pocket watch.
She opened it.
The hands moved backward—slowly, steadily—just as they had that morning. But now, a faint pulse of blue glowed from beneath the glass. It throbbed in time with her heartbeat.
What had the man said?
"When it glows, time is at a turning point."
So something had already shifted.
She thought back through the day. What had she done differently? Was it agreeing to dinner? Letting Lucien see how shaken she was?
Could it be that simple?
The knock at the door startled her.
She opened it cautiously—but it wasn't the old man.
It was Grace.
Aveline nearly gasped. Grace looked exactly as she had five years ago—messy bun, bold lipstick, sharp-eyed and loud-mouthed. Her best friend, her anchor back then.
"Hey, loser," Grace said. "I was in the neighborhood and figured I'd check on you. You didn't answer any of my texts."
"I—I didn't see them. Sorry," Aveline stammered.
Grace stepped inside and flopped on the bed. "You okay? You're acting weird."
Aveline smiled faintly. "You have no idea."
Grace narrowed her eyes. "Did something happen?"
Aveline sat beside her, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders.
"I think… I've been given a second chance."
Grace laughed. "At what? Your taxes?"
Aveline stared at the glowing watch in her palm.
"At everything."