Asher nearly stumbled mid-stride at her question, catching himself with a quick hop before regaining his rhythm.
"Whoa—" He huffed out a breath, half a laugh, half embarrassment. Then he lifted his arms wide as he jogged, palms open to the morning air. "I just needed to clear my head… and breathe this in." His chest rose deep, like he was trying to store the scent in his lungs. "Oh my, I missed the smell of home."
The air carried damp grass, lake breeze, distant blossoms — clean in a way the capital never was.
"Yeah," Lara said quietly. "Me too." Her pace stayed smooth, unhurried. "It clears my head. Keeps me in shape." A small pause. "And it reminds me I'm in control of something."
No drama. No self-pity. Just a simple statement, dropped between them like a stone in still water.
Asher didn't answer right away.
Not because he didn't have something to say — because he was listening. Really listening.
