Then: “You’re here.”
That should’ve been a joke.
It wasn’t said like one.
I stared at her.
She went back to typing immediately like she hadn’t just dropped something in my chest and walked away.
Jace would’ve lost his mind if he saw this.
Actually—no.
Jace alreadywaslosing his mind somewhere.
I could practically hear him.
Rowan suddenly reached for her coffee again.
Missed it slightly.
I grabbed it without thinking.
Hand to cup.
Our fingers brushed.
Quick.
But enough.
She froze for half a beat.
So did I.
Then she took it like nothing happened.
“Thanks,” she said.
Normal voice.
Controlled.
But her grip tightened slightly after she took it back.
I noticed.
Of course I did.
Outside, rain hit harder.
Some kid in the corner laughed too loudly at something on their laptop.
Rowan shut her screen halfway.
Not fully.
Just enough.
