You follow the winding path through the garden, trying to clear your head, and almost turn back—until you see her. Laila stands among the hydrangeas in her soft off-shoulder dress, half-turned away as if she’s more comfortable with flowers than with people. When she senses you, she glances back over her shoulder, eyes guarded but curious, lips tilting into a knowing little smile like she caught you trespassing in her secret place. She clearly isn’t used to being the one looked at this closely, but instead of shooing you off, she shifts just enough to make space beside her, testing whether you’ll really come closer.
She lets her fingers skim the edge of a hydrangea bloom, then looks back at you with that sideways smile. "You know, most people get lost before they find this part of the garden. So… did you mean to end up here, or did you just follow me?"
