Chapter 6 - A Promise KeptThe sun was setting over the Baltimore harbor, casting long, golden ribbons of light across the water where cargo ships moved in silent, synchronized rhythm.
At a small, sunlit table outside an ice cream parlor in Fell's Point, a nine-year-old boy with messy hair and a chocolate-stained face was enthusiastically debating the merits of mint chocolate chip versus double fudge brownie.
"I'm telling you, mint is scientifically better because it lasts longer," Caleb insisted, waving his spoon.
"Scientific consensus disagrees with you," Roman replied smoothly, sitting across from him in a tailored charcoal blazer, holding a cup of plain black coffee while Nora laughed softly beside him.
"You just like coffee flavor because you're old," Caleb muttered, though a wide grin betrayed his teasing tone.
Nora reached across the table, wiping a speck of chocolate from her brother's cheek with a napkin. She looked up and caught Roman’s eye.
There were no shadows left between them. The warehouse was a distant memory; the betrayal of the past had been washed away by the tide of absolute loyalty and a love neither of them had expected to find in the darkest corners of their lives.
Roman reached beneath the table, finding Nora’s hand and interlacing his fingers with hers. He squeezed gently, his thumb tracing the smooth skin of her wrist where the scars had faded into silver lines—reminders of a battle they had survived together.
Caleb looked between them, took a massive bite of his ice cream, and smiled.
"Hey, Mr. Calder?"
"Yes, Caleb?" Roman answered, turning his attention to the boy.
"Are we coming back here next week?"
May you like
Roman looked at Nora, her green eyes shining with a happiness she hadn't dared to dream of a month ago. He smiled—a real, unreserved smile that reached his eyes for the first time in fourteen years.
"Every week, kid," Roman said, lifting his coffee cup in a silent toast to the future. "Every single week."
