rs on the screen with
gainst my nerves. The pressure in my skull throbbed in time with the bruises along my ribs, sh
y open beside the keyboard. I'd read it th
chair, and pain
dn't
outwa
lness like armor, masking the tight tremble i
y cubicle was the so
ken to anyone
one
at was
, a wrong glance, felt
om on my desk cr
e came through, clipped b
ed once. T
spine straight despite the pain. The office looked the same as always,
by the win
door quiet
asked
tu
r me, slower this t
hem. I kept my g
ed your input on the changes in the vendor state
I'll take an
idn't
k again for
"Come
esit
sn't just business...it ju
nst my chest like a shield. I stood still, waiting fo
stian did
right
hing me too
hiding so
econd time he's
were soft.
t him, but onl
ou. I'm ju
ch me. His hand lifted slightly, hesitating in the space between us. He didn't touch
n't br
e edge of my sleeve, barely, softly
ng of my shoulders, a sharp step back, the sound of breath c
t was
r Sebastia
p instantly, as if he'd touc
aw har
anything. Did
ind his eyes, frustrat
bo
e between u
. Hated that my body reacted before my mind
had rewired
"Sebastian started
down with slow precision. Like he was forcing himself
it
re I was, fro
ng the folder open. "We'll di
hinner than I meant.
rply, then softer,
once. But
n didn't
were tight. H
ay he held himself still,
that sil
e same one
t, I turned to
d leave, his voice
in," he said quietly.
tightened on
have to be a
dn't
wasn't af
urn a body into a battlefield. How even kindness could feel
ant to wor
odded
ffice without
d with me all the w
iet places I tried

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