Alexa hated that she hesitated.
Ethan was waiting. Zaiyo was watching. And she—she was standing in the middle, stuck between the past and whatever the hell Zaiyo was turning into.
"I—"
Ethan's gaze sharpened. "Just a conversation, Lex." His voice had that same softness she remembered, the kind that used to calm her down. "That's all."
She should go with him. That's what made sense. But her body wasn't moving.
Zaiyo exhaled softly beside her, his voice smooth as silk.
"Go ahead."
Alexa flinched.
She turned, expecting to see amusement on his face. Mockery. But there was nothing. Just the same calm, unreadable expression. Like he knew exactly how this would play out.
That made her uneasy.
She forced herself to look back at Ethan. "Fine."
Ethan's shoulders relaxed slightly as he gestured toward the side of the street. Away from Zaiyo.
She followed him, but something felt off.
Maybe it was the way Zaiyo let her go too easily.
Maybe it was the prickle of awareness on the back of her neck.
Or maybe it was the small, sharp smirk Zaiyo gave her just before she turned away—like he had already won.