d with weekend anticipation-except for the 20th floor, wher

d stayed be

she was waiting for one final document to scan and archive bef

elevator, shoulders slumped, carrying a fil

s began

hand sto

ways, holding his coat and briefcase. He glanced at her

own, the ele

sto

soft ding. T

ovem

on the con

vator

ust stop?" V

mergency button. No respo

e

cked something out," he

ed. "We'r

panel again.

the railing. The elevator was sleek and m

ered, trying not

e asked, watchin

on't like enclosed

nd coat. "Breathe. The gene

es dragged on

d. No m

f rain and the too-lo

ngers tugging at the hem of her blouse. He remained standin

owly-he

e. Silence

fered with a faint smil

en chuckled-a real chuckl

id. "You alwa

brings," she replied

. "You su

d her hea

e stil

ou're not easy

worth it

or lights

went

te bla

fined-but darkness in tight spa

reached out-her hand

n't pu

id, voice low,

oment. The silence between

s ele

"you intimidate everyone. But

d

hy

sappoint me less w

en though he couldn't

e felt the heat of him b

not b

g sil

ed somethin

you want,

nked. "

es

I want my name to mean somethin

slowly. "Th

she whispered. "

answer r

sof

rust

s were sti

with a loud hum,

k on. The elevator lurch

again until it stopp

ooked up, unsure what to do with the s

vator door for

teppe

to leave, he said, "You're

fr

t her

r think th

he walk