The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, turning the pavement into shimmering waves of heat. Even in his dark glasses, Jace squinted, sweat glistening faintly at his temple. He leaned against the shaded wall of the café terrace, but even the shade felt heavy, pressing, restless.
His gaze, however, was not on the street. It was locked on the table under the white parasol.
Jay.
He sat there, perfectly at ease in the suffocating summer heat, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, golden skin catching the light. His laughter spilled across the glass as he spoke to the woman beside him. She stirred her iced coffee, smiling far too brightly at him, her hair flipping over her shoulder as if to catch more of his attention.
And Jay gave it, at least enough to make her laugh, his eyes crinkling with that warmth that used to burn only for Jace.
