The sharp buzz of Lior's phone broke the fragile quiet between them. He glanced down, eyes tightening for a moment.
"Duty calls," he said with a reluctant smile. "The hangar wants me back early."
I nodded, swallowing the sudden sting of disappointment. "I get it. Work's work."
He hesitated, as if weighing whether to stay or go. Then his gaze softened. "I don't want to disappear again. Can we… meet later? Somewhere quieter?"
Before I could answer, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
"Speaking of timing," I murmured, pulling it out. My friend Adrian's name flashed on the screen — he had just landed.
"I'm supposed to pick up a friend," I said. "But I want to see you again."
Lior's smile was tired but genuine. "Then it's a date."
I gave him the details of a small café near the old canal — a place we used to haunt as kids, where the world still felt simpler.
"Tomorrow. Nine a.m.," I said firmly. "We'll reminisce about those days. And maybe… figure out what's really been waiting for us all along."
He nodded, the faintest blush rising to his cheeks. "I'll be there."
As he turned and disappeared into the crowd, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
This time, I promised myself, I wouldn't let go.
I watched Lior fade into the crowd, his pilot's cap tucked under one arm, the weight of his sudden departure pressing on my chest.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Adrian: "Flight landed. I'm here. Where are you?"
I smiled, grateful for the distraction.
"By the arrivals gate. Near Gate 17. You?"
"On my way. Got some new cases to brief you on tomorrow," Adrian replied.
Within minutes, he appeared beside me, his usual easygoing grin in place.
"Late night calls from the chief?" he asked, nodding toward the spot where Lior had just vanished.
"Yeah," I said, shaking my head. "Forensics life's unpredictable. But I've got a date with an old friend tomorrow morning."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but polite enough not to press. "Rekindling old flames?"
I laughed softly, brushing off the teasing. "Something like that. More like… closing a chapter left open too long."
He clapped me on the shoulder. "Good. Life's too short for 'what ifs.' You deserve a bit of happiness."
The words warmed me more than I expected.
"Thanks, Adrian. I'm hoping this time, I won't let go."
He gave me a knowing smile. "Then don't."
We walked toward the parking lot, our conversation shifting to work — new forensic techniques, upcoming lectures — grounding me after the whirlwind of the reunion.
But even as we spoke, my mind kept drifting back to Lior. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.