The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 271

“Ms. Vance… could I get your contact information?”

Suzie had only taken a few steps when Hayden’s voice called out from behind her.

She turned slowly, met by a bright, sunny smile. For a fleeting moment, she saw the Jamie she used to know. He had smiled like that once, with the sun at his back and his eyes curved into crescents.

“Ms. Vance?”

Hayden’s voice pulled Suzie back to the present, and a shiver ran down her spine. How could she possibly be thinking of that bastard, Jamie? She must be losing her mind.

As Suzie composed herself, Hayden jogged up to her.

“Could I get your contact info? I’m new to this type of camera, and I’d love to ask for your advice if I run into any trouble.”

Suzie offered a faint smile and declined. “I only know the basics. I’m sorry, but I have to go. I have an appointment.”

She turned to leave again, but the distinct *click* of a camera shutter stopped her. She whipped her head around, only to be met with another *click*.

The smile vanished from Suzie’s face.

Hayden stammered, “Oh, no, I was just—I was taking pictures of the scenery.”

Seeing that Suzie was about to walk away again, he quickly added, “Ms. Vance, there’s a café just up ahead. Let me buy you a coffee to thank you. What do you say?”

Suzie gave him a cool look, then pulled the fabric of her dress tighter against her body, making her pregnant belly more prominent. “I’m sorry, I’m pregnant. I can’t drink coffee.”

“Oh, I noticed that earlier,” Hayden replied easily. “They have milk at cafés, too. How about it?”

Suzie paused, taken aback. She had assumed he was hitting on her and had deliberately made her pregnancy more obvious to ward him off. But it turned out he had known she was pregnant all along.

Her defensiveness softened, but she still refused. “I don’t usually eat or drink out, but thank you.”

Suddenly, a series of soft but distinct knocks came from the front gate.

Suzie frowned, walking toward the gate as she called out, “Who is it?”

There was no answer from the other side, just a few more unhurried, polite-sounding knocks.

For safety’s sake, Suzie repeated her question. “Excuse me, who are you looking for?”

This time, a voice responded. “Is this Ms. Vance’s residence? We met about two weeks ago. You helped me take a picture, remember? My name is Hayden.”

Suzie froze.

How on earth did he find her here?