The café was warm in that deceptive way late afternoons sometimes were — sunlight pouring through the tall windows, catching in the steam rising from coffee cups, gilding everything in soft gold. Outside, the city moved in restless rhythm. Inside, it felt almost peaceful.
Almost.
Julian sat across from Dean, sleeves of his shirt rolled neatly to his forearms, fingers wrapped loosely around his porcelain cup. He looked composed. Controlled. But there were faint shadows under his eyes th