"Look, there''s a show!"


    Calliope''s eyes lit up as she spotted a performance happening right in the middle of theke. She grabbed Ss''s arm, dragging him along in excitement.


    Ss followed her lead, helping her find a perfect spot near the water. The air buzzed with anticipation.


    Suddenly, music red from hidden speakers, and a group of craftsmen waded out onto a floating tform. They started setting up their gear, clearly preparing for something spectacr.


    All around, people crowded thekeshore, raising their phones to capture the moment.


    Calliope eagerly joined in, fishing out her phone to record a video for her friends back home.


    She was so absorbed in lining up the shot, she didn''t notice when Ss slipped away from her side.


    Ss had spotted someone in the crowd: Blythe, and next to her, Oliver. He hadn''t expected to run into them here, and his first instinct was to stay put.


    But then Oliver shot him a warning look-a look Ss knew all too well. If he stuck around, he''d just be putting Calliope in the crosshairs.


    He nced at Calliope, who was fully engrossed in the performance, and quietly ducked away into the thinning crowd.


    Most people had clustered at the water''s edge, leaving the outer walkways nearly empty.


    "Ss! Long time no see. Do you remember me?" Blythe called out softly, stepping out from the shadows.


    "Blythe." Ss''s tone was neutral, but he remembered. They''d been childhood friends. What he couldn''t figure out was why she was with Oliver.


    Oliver, he despised. Blythe, on the other hand, he''d once been grateful to. Seeing them together made his skin crawl.


    "I knew you''d remember me," Blythe said, her face lighting up. "I always knew you wouldn''t just forget about me."


    She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "Did you miss me, Ss? After all these years?"


    She tried to loop her arm through his, but Ss pulled away so fast you''d think he''d touched a hot skillet.


    He fixed her with a steady look. "I''m married now."


    He wanted to make it clear that her little game was out of line. He had a wife, and


    he wasn''t about to disrespect her.


    Blythe''s smile faltered, her brows knitting together. She''d always believed she was special to him.


    After all, she''d helped him out of et


    more than one mess, back when they were kids. Surely, she thought, he wouldn''t just brush her off.


    But the way he looked at her now, it was obvious: he didn''t want anything to do with her.


    Was it because of Calliope? Did he care about her more?


    Jealousy pinched at Blythe''s heart. She''d known Ss longer, their connection had always felt strong.


    "I told you, I''m married," Ss


    saw us like this, she''d be


    ed, his tone firm. "If my wifee


    e her. So please don''t to


    me."


    Blythe''s hand fell away, her cheeks ming. She shot an uncertain nce at Oliver.


    Ss turned to Oliver, his eyes narrowing. "I don''t know why you two are together, but if you''re here to see me, it can''t be good."


    Oliver gave a little scoff. "What''s with


    the attitude, Ss? I''m your fath with Doesn''t matter what I want, you should show a little respect.


    Ss folded his arms, jaw set. He wasn''t about to let Oliver get under his skin. Not


    tonight. Not while Calliope was waiting for him.