Page 112 of Code Name: Typhon

“I’m well. And you?”

“I hate this chasm between us.” His voice caught.

“Is everything all right with Harper and the baby?” I asked in a moment of panic, realizing I should’ve addressed the emotion behind his statement first.

“They’re fine. Harper has been after me to make amends with you so you’ll visit her. She’s heartbroken that you haven’t.”

That made two of us. However, Niven was the one at fault. Not me. Until he apologized, any visit I made would be uncomfortable at best, something Harper would pick up on immediately.

“I was hoping we could talk in person.”

“We can. Where would you like to meet? The pub?”

“Sure.” I knew which one he meant. It was the same one as on the night I met Levi.

Knowing Hornet was close by eased some of my tension. The anxiety of not knowing what Niven might say lingered.

When I walked in, he was already seated at the bar. I noticed Cora was here again and waved. Then she rushed over to greet me.

“So, did you have a boy or a girl?” I asked.

She beamed. “We had another girl, and she’s beautiful.” She pulled out her mobile, swiped the screen, and showed me a photo of all three of her children.

“All gorgeous!” I proclaimed. “Well done, Cora and Tim.”

Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked down. “Wait, what’s this?” she said, taking my hand. “You’re engaged?”

“Actually, she’s married,” Niven, who I hadn’t seen approach, said. When I looked up at him, he was smiling. Rather than ask how he knew in front of Cora, I’d wait and address it when we were alone.

“How long?” she asked.

“Less than a month,” he answered for me.

“You married the man you were with that day, didn’t you?”

I couldn’t help but smile. I loved Levi so much. I couldn’t contain it. “I did.”

She was still holding my hand and squeezed it. “I could tell you were in love. I knew it the minute he sat at the table.”

“Not quite, my friend. We only met that day.”

She dropped my hand and winked. “I know,” she said as she walked away.

“Would you prefer a table over the bar?” Niven asked.

“I would if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

The walk to the nearest unoccupied table was one of the most awkward of my life. The only ones more so were when I was with my mother or father. I shuddered involuntarily.

“Are you all right?” Niv asked.

“Fine, just had a bit of a chill.”

He pulled the chair out for me, but before I took it, I embraced him. I couldn’t stand it a moment longer. There was only one time in recent memory when we hadn’t hugged, and I’d missed it—him—more than I realized.

When he hugged me back, my eyes filled with tears.

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