Rey slumped down onto her couch as soon as she got inside, fighting the urge to overanalyze everything that had happened that morning. Something had changed during the ride back—there was a distance growing between them that she didn't entirely understand, except to realize that Luke was the one putting it there. He said he didn't regret the kiss—and he had certainly seemed to enjoy it as much as she had—but something about it was bothering him, she was sure of that.

Grabbing her phone from her purse, she pulled up an image search and typed "Luke Skywalker wife" in the search bar. The first photo that appeared felt to Rey like a punch in the stomach.

Luke was obviously much younger, his hair a pure, sandy blonde and swept neatly across his forehead. He was wearing a tuxedo, absolutely beaming, and holding onto his arm was quite possibly the most beautiful woman Rey had ever seen in her life. Her vibrant red hair fell down in loose curls over her shoulders, and even in the low-resolution photo the emerald green of her eyes was striking. But what stood out the most to Rey was the way they were looking at each other—she had never seen two people more obviously head-over-heels in love. They were perfect together.

She opened the article linked to the photo, and her heart sank as she read the headline:

Wife of Chicago Symphony conductor killed in train crash

Mara Jade Skywalker, 23, wife of recently appointed Chicago Symphony conductor Luke Skywalker, was killed on Saturday afternoon in the train derailment between Chicago and Minneapolis. Following the accident, Maestro Skywalker announced his resignation on Monday after only serving a year in the position. The couple had recently celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.

Skywalker was one of 19 casualties from the crash, which officials now believe was caused by…

Rey couldn't bring herself to read any further. Poor Luke, she thought. It was no wonder he had looked so hurt when she'd joked about him not being married.

She scrolled back up to the photo, staring at it for a long moment. When she finally switched off her phone, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the black screen, and the comparison was almost painful. She wouldn't blame Luke for being disappointed by that kiss. How could she ever compete with the memory of someone that beautiful, someone who had obviously meant the world to him?

Rey glanced down at the violin case on the floor at her feet. Whatever his feelings, it had been incredibly kind of him to let her use his father's instrument. And even if he would never look at her the way he had looked at Mara Jade, she still wanted to make him proud.

Luke called Leia on the cab ride back to his apartment, hoping she would have more information from talking to Officer Rook that morning.

"They don't have any leads at this point," she said, "but then, they didn't really have much to go on, did they? I gave them Hux's name as a possible fit to Rey's description, so they'll be checking with him, and they're keeping an eye on local pawn shops in case the thief tries to sell it. Do you still think Ben could be behind this?"

"Obviously I don't know anything for certain," said Luke, "but I've seen the way he speaks to Rey, and he seemed furious when he found out she would be entering the competition. That, and...I didn't mention this before, but she's Benjamin Kenobi's granddaughter."

Leia inhaled sharply. "That would be enough to set him off," she said. "Knowing how much Ben idolized his grandfather, I'm sure he believed the lies Anakin was always spewing about Kenobi." She sighed. "Why can't rivalries like this end with the generation that started them? What's the point in keeping them alive when the only people who had any blame in the matter are dead and gone?"

"I suppose everyone has different ways of holding onto the past," said Luke. "Some people keep hold of the happy memories of people they've lost, while others cling to their bitterness."

"As much as I hate to admit it, Ben has always been the bitter type. But this...I've never known him to take something this far."

"Let's give it a few days and see what the police are able to find out," said Luke. "I'll be at the competition on Friday, so I'll keep a close eye on both Ben and Rey to make sure nothing happens."

"I appreciate that," said Leia. "I'm on call that day and Han's out of town—though I doubt Ben would want either of us to be there, anyway."

"I had already planned on going to support Rey, so—"

"All right, hang on," Leia interrupted, "I'm dying to ask. What exactly is going on with you and Rey?"

"Leia…"

"Don't give me that—I'm your sister. It's my job to ask these kinds of questions. Now, I heard from Han that you were desperate to get your hands on a pair of symphony tickets last week—for you and Rey, perhaps?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"And how did she know how to find her way to your apartment last night? Has she been there before?"

"No, I gave her my business card; it has my—"

"...and where did she sleep?"

"Oh, for—really, Leia?"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," she said, stifling a laugh. "But she's cute. Please tell me you've at least noticed that she's cute."

Luke sighed. "Yes, I have noticed that."

"Good. I'll stop bugging you. But Luke...you do know I just want you to be happy, right?"

"I know," he said. "And to be honest, I'm not completely certain where Rey and I stand right now, but I promise I'll tell you if anything comes of it. Especially since I'm sure you'll find out regardless of whether I tell you or not."

"You know me so well. Must be a twin thing."

He was glad she couldn't see him roll his eyes. "Goodbye, Leia," he said.

"Bye, Luke."

He hung up just as the cab arrived back at his apartment. He paid the driver and went inside, but as he shut the door behind him he couldn't help but feel that something was missing. The room was too empty, too quiet. His eyes went immediately to the couch, where the pillows were still rumpled and out of place. It felt strange not to have her there. He'd lived alone for twenty-two years, and after only one night in his apartment Rey's absence had left a tangible hole.

He missed her. Missed her smile, the smell of her hair, the soft touch of her lips against his. But for every ounce of desire he felt, fear rose up in equal measure. He had promised himself that he would never let this happen again.

But now that he had found her—and if she truly wanted him—he wasn't sure he would be able to let her go.