Friday evening came with a crisp breeze and a quiet sort of anticipation. Lena had closed the bakery early, taking extra care with her makeup and choosing a dress that struck a balance between soft and confident. A silky navy wrap, her favorite gold earrings, and the delicate perfume she hadn't worn in years. It wasn't just dinner—it was something more.
Walker picked her up in a sleek black SUV, dressed in a charcoal coat over a dark sweater and slacks. He looked unfairly good, Lena thought, as he stepped around to open her door, lips curling in a smirk when he saw her.
"You're going to ruin me, Hart," he said in a low tone, eyes dragging down her frame before they softened with something tender. "You look beautiful."
"You're not so bad yourself," she said, brushing off the flattery even as her stomach flipped.
They drove in comfortable silence, his hand resting lightly on her thigh. He didn't take her to a flashy restaurant or some high-rise rooftop. Instead, he brought her to a hidden gem of a place tucked into a quiet neighborhood—low lighting, wooden beams, a piano humming in the background. A place where people came to be present, not to be seen.
Over appetizers and wine, they talked—about her new seasonal menu, his latest board meeting, and a potential expansion for the bakery she hadn't told anyone else about. He listened, truly listened, nodding and asking questions like he had all the time in the world for her.
But as the main course was cleared, Lena noticed a shift in his eyes. A flicker of distraction.
"What's going on?" she asked gently. "You've been different since last night."
Walker leaned back, hesitating. "There's been a development at work. The board is bringing in a consultant for some of our upcoming strategies—someone I wasn't expecting."
Lena tilted her head. "And?"
"It's someone I used to be involved with," he said, voice measured. "Madeline Hayes. She's sharp, strategic… and persistent."
Lena's fork paused mid-air. "Persistent how?"
He reached for her hand across the table. "In the past, she didn't like hearing 'no.' I haven't seen her in years, but… I wanted you to hear it from me first. She's just work, nothing more."
Lena nodded slowly, pulling her hand back to her lap. She appreciated the honesty, but the small seed of unease had already been planted. The name Madeline Hayes curled in her mind like smoke.
She forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you for telling me."
Walker leaned forward. "Nothing's changed, Lena. You're the one I'm here with. The one I want."
She believed him. She did. But a part of her—quiet, anxious, and scarred from the past—wondered just how much power a woman like Madeline could still hold in Walker's world.
Later that night, back at Lena's place, they curled up on the couch with a blanket and a bowl of leftover apple crumble. Walker rested his head against hers, his arm around her shoulders like it belonged there. The television played something forgettable in the background, but neither of them paid attention. Lena tried to focus on the warmth of his presence, the steadiness of his heartbeat against her side. Still, she couldn't stop her mind from drifting.
She didn't want to be that girl—the one who let jealousy or insecurity creep in over someone from the past. But Walker's world was different now. Corporate meetings, power plays, women like Madeline Hayes with polished heels and ambitions sharp enough to cut. Lena didn't fear competition. But she knew love, real love, didn't always survive the storm if you didn't secure it firmly in place. And for the first time, she wondered just how strong the foundation between her and Walker truly was.