“Exactly.”

A flight attendant passed by their row.

“Excuse me,” Zane called out.

“Yes, sir. How can I help?”

“Could I get a blanket?”

“Of course. Just a moment,” she said, returning shortly with one. “Here you go, sir.”

“Thank you.” Zane took it and then handed it to Hadley. “Cover yourself up. It’s a little too cold in here. You might catch something.”

Hadley blinked. “For me?”

“Yes.” Zane nodded. He had already noticed the goosebumps rising on her arms.

“Thanks.” She accepted the blanket, her voice soft.

“You’re welcome.” Zane offered a warm smile. “Try to get some rest. I won’t bother you.”

“Alright. You too.” Hadley nodded, unfolding the blanket and pulling it over her lap. She let her gaze drift sideways—just briefly—to the man sitting next to her.

“Colleen’s cousin really is mature,” Hadley thought. “Calm, steady… and considerate.”

It was hard to picture someone like him being betrayed—let alone abandoned—by a woman he once loved. But everyone had their own path to walk. Life rarely unfolded the way people expected.

Near midnight, their plane touched down in Ciderbrook.

“Zane,” Hadley asked as they made their way toward the exit, “do you have a ride? Want to come with us?”

Tamara had already arranged for a car to take them to the hotel.

“Thank you, Hadley.” Zane smiled. “That’s thoughtful, but a friend of mine is picking me up. No need to trouble yourself.”

Your update hub: g?lησv?ls?c?m

“I see. Alright then. Guess we’ll part ways here. See you.”

“See you.”

They stepped out of the airport and went their separate ways.

Hadley’s ride was waiting. The trip to the hotel went smoothly.

She stepped aside to call Elvin while Chelsey handled the check-in at the front desk.

“Hadley.”

She heard her name and turned toward the familiar voice.

Hadley blinked in surprise—it was Zane, the very same man she had just said goodbye to at the airport.

“Zane? What are the odds?”

“Right?” Zane let out a quiet chuckle, surprised but quietly pleased.

He was far past the age of reckless emotions and fleeting crushes, but seeing Hadley twice in one day stirred something in him. It almost felt like fate was playing matchmaker. He felt like his quiet fondness hadn’t gone unnoticed—and the universe was giving him a push.

“Are you staying here too?”

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