Destiny's POV
"Hi."
The voice came from behind me — warm, casual — but it wasn't Red's voice. I stiffened, my fingers curling around the cup in front of me as I stayed perfectly still.
"May I sit with you?" the stranger asked.
For a second, I debated running — just getting up and walking away.
But that would be rude.
He had approached kindly, and Red would never forgive me for being disrespectful to someone he trusted.
Still, I couldn't bring myself to turn around.
"You must be waiting for my best friend," he said, a soft chuckle in his voice. "I'm sorry to bother you. I'm Leo. And you must be Destiny."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him extend a hand toward me in greeting.
But I couldn't move.
I kept my head down, focusing on the tiny ripples in my coffee, pretending not to notice the hand waiting patiently for mine.
I wasn't ready for this. Not for anyone else from my past — or from Red's world — to see me.
