As the evening wore on, the mood shifted. They left the café and wandered along the river, the city lights reflecting off the water. Pasco stopped abruptly, turning to face Debbie.
"You know," he said softly, "I've missed this. Us."
Debbie froze, her heart pounding. "Pasco, don't—"
"I mean it," he interrupted, stepping closer. "I was stupid to let you go. I thought I was doing the right thing, but all I did was hurt you—and myself."
Debbie's breath caught as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, familiar, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"You don't know how many nights I've thought about this," Pasco murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Debbie's head was spinning. Part of her wanted to push him away, to remind him of the pain he'd caused, but another part—the part that still remembered the boy she had once loved—was tempted to lean in.Just as their faces drew closer, her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of the moment.