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