The last crumbs of the cake melted in Sharon's mouth, but the aftertaste lingered sweet, yes, but unsettled, like the echo of a door left ajar. She set down her plate, the warmth from earlier cooling along with her thoughts.
Sia linked her arm lightly as they stepped out into the crisp evening, the lights along the street flickering on like stars waking from their day's sleep.
"You know, Sid is handsome," Sia said offhandedly, her voice soft but certain. "I like him."
Sharon's chest tightened, an unexpected twist of discomfort curling in her belly. For a moment, she hesitated, surprised even by her own reaction. "That Sid?" she asked, forcing a casual tone.
Sia smiled but paused. "Yeah, the Sid from earlier... but you don't sound so sure."
Sharon shook her head, choosing her words carefully. "He's the mysterious guy from before, the one I told you about... the one I wasn't sure I wanted to meet again."
Sia's brow furrowed, a fleeting shadow crossing her face before she masked it with a light shrug. "You've got secrets, don't you?" she teased gently, not pressing further.
Sharon laughed softly, but then the world shifted before her eyes. She lifted her gaze and there, waiting beneath the glow of a solitary streetlight, stood Sid.
His stance was casual, but something in the way he looked at her was unwavering, almost intense. For a heartbeat, Sharon forgot Sia was there; Sid's presence crowded the space between them.
Sid didn't so much as glance at Sia. It was as if she didn't exist, not rude, just singularly focused on Sharon.
"Hey," he said quietly, stepping closer but careful not to crowd her. "I was surprised to see you back there."
Sharon's lips parted, a soft breath. "I finally know your name," she said, the words dropping gently but with weight.
Sid's eyes widened, a sheepish smile tugging at his mouth. "I guess I never properly introduced myself, did I?"
"No," Sharon shook her head, "and I was surprised you remembered me after all this time."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "To be honest, I was surprised you shook my hand so easily that day." He paused, brow furrowed in thought. "I expected you'd avoid me, like every night when I walked you to the lift."
"I was surprised, too," Sharon admitted, stepping slightly closer under the dim light. "I thought you might… You know, just walk away like you hadn't seen me."
Sid's grin turned soft, tender. "Guess we both surprised each other."
Sia moved quietly to Sharon's side, her eyes flickering between them but careful to stay silent, a witness, not an intruder.
The street hummed softly, the distant sound of a passing scooter, the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze as the three stood caught in the delicate balance between past and something new.