Aster couldn't work. The numbers on his laptop blurred; meetings dragged meaninglessly. His mind was trapped on her.
When Kim entered later, he finally brought news.
"Her name's Anya," Kim said, lips twitching. "And I have her home address."
Aster's heart jolted. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
Without hesitation, Aster grabbed his coat. "Let's go."
Kim raised a brow. "You know this borders on stalking, right?"
Aster smirked faintly. "It is what it is."
---
The black Range Rover rolled to a stop two houses down from a white duplex.
"That's her place," Kim pointed. "She lives with two friends. Girls."
For the first time in years, Aster murmured, "Thanks."
Kim blinked. "Wow. That girl really is working miracles."
They both turned as the door opened. A woman stepped out, but it wasn't her. Then—
"There she is," Aster breathed, eyes locking on the figure dragging out a bag of trash.
Even in the simplest clothes, she was radiant.
"Want me to drive closer?" Kim asked.
Aster shook his head. "No. I don't want to scare her off."
He watched her answer a call, tucking hair behind her ear. The sight tugged at something deep inside him, something terrifying and exhilarating.
Kim studied him. "Are you hesitating because of your engagement?"
Aster's jaw hardened. "This changes everything. I thought I couldn't love anyone. But now…" His lips curved faintly. "Now I'm in love."
Kim whistled low. "Guess you're cured."
"It was never a disease," Aster muttered.
But his chest ached, because he knew the truth. In two days, he had an engagement dinner with another woman.
And fate was about to tear everything wide open.