“Wait a moment. Don’t you prefer warm water like I do?”

He turned, calling out, “Xander?”

“Right here,” Xander replied promptly, producing a thermos cup and handing it to Eric.

Eric opened the lid and set the cup before Hadley.

“Drink this.”

Hadley paused, her hand hovering over the cup, momentarily caught off guard. It was true, she did favor warm water. But Eric? How could he love warm water? His preference had always leaned toward chilled drinks, even sneaking iced water when he was under the weather and on medication.

“Drink,” Eric prompted, his brow furrowing slightly at her hesitation.

“Oh,” Hadley murmured, snapping out of her reverie. She lifted the cup, taking a sip while stealing a glance at him.

Almost casually, she asked, “Do you prefer warm water too?”

“I do,” Eric replied with a nod.

He paused, and then added with a thoughtful tilt of his head, “Well, it’s my habit now, at least. As for before… who knows?”

He tapped his temple lightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

“Amnesia might’ve scrambled a few things, but habits? Probably not.”

Eric’s face lit up with a warm, genuine smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gazed at Hadley.

Hadley’s heart gave a quiet lurch. She studied him, a flicker of realization dawning. He probably didn’t realize that it wasn’t really his habit, that he had simply adopted hers. How could such a thing happen?

“Here, try these,” Eric said, breaking her train of thought. He plucked a few pine nuts from the snack assortment, deftly peeling them and placing the kernels in her palm.

“Something to keep you busy,” he teased.

“Thank you.”

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Hadley, still reeling from quiet astonishment, absently popped the pine nuts into her mouth, her chewing almost automatic.

“Enjoying them?” Eric asked, his smile bright and teasing.

“Hm?” Hadley’s brows lifted, her eyes flickering with surprise.

“Oh, they’re good.”

“Are they?” Eric’s grin widened, radiating warmth.

“Then I’ll peel some more for you.”

“No, I can manage,” Hadley protested, a touch of self-consciousness creeping in as she reached for the nuts.

“Hey!” Eric interjected swiftly, gently catching her hand. He nodded toward her fingers with a playful glint in his eye.

“Those hands aren’t made for such chores. Relax and enjoy. Don’t go ruining that perfect manicure.”

“Oh… alright,” Hadley conceded, a shy smile tugging at her lips as she drew her hand back.

Just then, a soft chime sounded from her handbag. Her phone was buzzing.

A notification from Melba appeared on Hadley’s phone. She glanced at it quickly, slipped the device back into her handbag, and prepared to stand.

Eric looked at her.

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