[ELENA]
"You look . . . different," Elena began, her voice smooth, like silk wrapping around every word. She was trying—Cole could see that. "More mature, of course. You've grown into yourself. You've always had this . . . edge to you, though."
Cole didn't respond right away, letting her words hang in the air, cold and detached. Instead, he toyed with the edge of his water glass, eyes flicking toward the door, counting the seconds until he could make his escape.
Elena's presence, her polished persona, the way she tried to pull him in—it didn't interest him.
Not anymore.
"I'm glad you're doing well," he said, his tone flat, as he looked her over again. Her smile faltered a little, but she quickly recovered.