LL

lli

se. The smile that follows catches me off guard, tuggi

ere?" I ask, my voice

ze flickering between me and Julia, who's already stepped

t Julia speaks first, her tone bright a

y breath, but she's already nudging me forwa

h his sleek car. "It's late and pouring. You

e, and for a moment, the air feels heavier than it should. I reluctantl

ut hesitation. "You have a nice ca

tarts the engine, the quiet hum filling the sil

ickly, hoping to keep

e back. "She's underse

, but Orion's soft laugh draws my

and we went out to celebrate!" She

his be the right time to introduce them? Tell Julia that Orion is the CEO o

continues, ignoring my warning

s, heat creepi

says, his interest genuine.

off. "I like solving prob

suits you. You seem lik

turn to stare out the window, hoping he d

is attention shifting to

hool teacher," sh

ays, his tone warm. "Tha

it's worth it. Kids are amazing, even wh

m here in the City,

look like those bosses on th

ke on my bre

glance. "Thank you so much. I do tr

ip at his b

ws on the back of my seat. "Oh, you m

he replies, his lips

iar. Every so often, I catch Orion's gaze flicking to me, his expression unreadable, and it sets me on edge.

ng each turn. I know how this area looks to someone like him, and the th

say softly, gesturing

ights here are sparse, the uneven pavement illuminated in patches. My apartment bui

and puts the car in

escape. "Thanks for the ride," I say q

om the back. "You should come inside, Or

till on the door. W

Orion says, his voice

mering in my chest. The thought of him stepping i

. "But I should get goin

rough me, though

the car. Julia follows, her steps light as if

a," Orion says, his voice

t, watching his taillights

ce with a sly grin. "H

n, shaking my head as

ou see the way he was looking at

," I mutter, unlocking t

ent we're inside, her expression t

her. "I'm g

way Orion said my name, the way his gaze softened when it landed on me. It's ridicul

ceiling, I wonder what it would be l

-

tell me you had a hunk for a boss?" she asks over breakfast, h

ing my coffee. "You a

s way to give us a ride. That means somet

being

. "And what about the way he kept looking

to dismiss her, my phone rings. The high-pitched sou