broke the sweetest promise

A machine where your heart once was
Slowly takes the place of you

The cute little cafe that Flora had mentioned in her letter was bustling. Liam was glad he'd arrived early, since it took him a few minutes to find a table. He perused the menu while he waited, knowing he'd probably just end up ordering something simple, but it gave him something to do with his hands while his mind ran wild. He wasn't sure why he was doing this, if he was being perfectly honest. He didn't know Flora well. He didn't owe her anything.

Except that he hadn't been able to get that brief flash of hurt on her face out of his head.

And she'd opened his eyes to what Maea was starting to mean to him - unintentionally, perhaps, but it was there all the same. 

As for what he wanted to say to Flora? Gods only knew. He'd never been particularly good at removing his foot from his mouth once it was there. His late wife used to tease him endlessly that he was the only person she knew determined to dig his own grave. It was ironic, really, that he'd ended up digging hers. Shaking his head, he ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck - a nervous tell. He'd figure it out when Flora got here. And, gods willing, he wouldn't make things worse.

Only hold the memories now
Of a love I thought I knew

Liam