Joe’s gaze lingered on Skylar, his expression a mix of curiosity and something deeper. He had expected her to react in some way, perhaps with recognition or surprise, but instead, she simply pretended not to know him. His brow furrowed slightly, as if the scene was puzzling him more than he cared to admit.
He had always found Skylar difficult to read, even when they were married. The walls she put up, the way she hid her true feelings, always kept him at a distance. Yet now, as he observed her in the bustling restaurant, there was something undeniably familiar about the way she carried herself—something he couldn’t quite place.
“Maybe I’m imagining things,” he muttered to himself, adjusting his posture slightly, but the thought of Skylar’s nonchalance kept gnawing at him. Was she truly indifferent to him now, or was it an act? Had he really lost all connection with her?
Skylar, meanwhile, had no intention of acknowledging him. She had learned long ago how to shut off her emotions around him. But deep down, she felt a strange tug—something that reminded her of their past, of all the unresolved feelings she had buried. Joe had always been able to affect her, even in the most unexpected ways.
But tonight, she wasn’t that woman anymore.
Natalie, still excited by the possibility of Joe recognizing Skylar, continued chatting. “If you had gone into law enforcement, I bet you’d be one of those officers who can read people just by looking at them. I’m sure you’ve noticed how weirdly intense Joe’s gaze was just now.”
Skylar’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Maybe I would’ve been good at that, but I think I’ve got enough insight on people right now. Especially when it comes to him.”
“Right?” Natalie smirked, not noticing the subtle shift in Skylar’s tone. “I bet he’s dying to talk to you, but you’re not having any of it. You’ve moved on, haven’t you?”
Skylar didn’t answer immediately. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to delve into her feelings for Joe, or if she was ready to share them with Natalie. There was a part of her that still resented him, yet another part that couldn’t ignore how he had impacted her life.
“Let’s just focus on the stew, okay?” Skylar replied, her voice steady. “There’s no need to stir up old memories.”
“Fine,” Natalie said, sipping her drink. “But you know, if you ever decide to go back to him, I’ll be here to support you. You’re too good for a guy like Christopher, but maybe Joe’s a different story.”
Skylar chuckled softly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Not interested. Joe’s his own problem.”
But as she spoke, her gaze inadvertently flickered toward Joe again. He wasn’t looking at her anymore, but she could feel the tension between them, even from a distance. The pull of their shared history was undeniable, but so was her need to move forward.
Joe, sensing her shift, finally turned away. He had seen enough for tonight. There was no reason to chase someone who wasn’t interested. Still, the question lingered in his mind: why had she acted so indifferent? Had she truly forgotten him, or was there something deeper at play?
As the evening wore on, Skylar couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths would cross again. And when they did, she wouldn’t be the same person she had been before.
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