That got a reaction.
Small.
But real.
A pause.
Then:
“Yeah,” she said. “But I at least try to.”
That landed differently.
Because it wasn’t a challenge.
It was observation.
Rowan
He wasn’t defensive.
That was new.
Mason didn’t do “open” responses.
He did controlled ones.
But tonight felt slightly off that structure.
“You’re doing it again,” I said.
“Doing what.”
“Acting like everything has to stay contained.”
He looked at me for a second.
Then:
“It does.”
“Why.”
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Then:
“Because if it doesn’t, it changes things.”
That made the room feel tighter again.
Not physically.
Just… aware.
I folded my arms.
