Alejandra tilted her head.
“What if it doesn’t?”
A pause.
“What if you and Leif actually work? What if you become one of those annoying power couples?”
Asma let out a small, reluctant huff of a laugh.
“What if that gives Callum the space he needs to not burn out completely?” Alejandra continued. “What if this is just… a new version of Lamina?”
She surprised herself with her own words.
Maybe I should listen to myself too.
“Change is necessary. Because we change.”
Silence settled between them again. Softer this time.
“Let’s eat this amazing burger,” Alejandra added, finally glancing down at it, “and then we call them. You talk to Leif. I’ll… deal with Callum.”
Asma looked at her, still uncertain.
“I’m scared.”
Alejandra squeezed her hand again.
“I am too.”
A small, honest smile.
“Everyone is. And I guarantee Leif is freaking out just as much. But what if he’s exactly what you need?”
Asma nodded slowly. Then, after a moment, she added,“And for the record—don’t hold it against Callum. Not telling you about the burnout.”
Alejandra glanced up.
“He’s always been independent. Even more since the accident. And after Vanessa ended things.” Her tone softened. “It takes him time to trust people with that kind of stuff. But with you… I think it’ll be easier.”
A small smile tugged at her lips.
“He’s extremely smitten with you.”
Alejandra smiled, turning her attention back to her burger. “You think so?”
Asma chuckled. “Oh, I know you know it.”
And just like that, the tension eased.
They fell into an easier conversation—about their pasts, their presents, and the very real, very fucking terrifying future ahead of them. It seemed like it was exactly what Asma needed.
And, unexpectedly, It was what Alejandra needed too. To see Callum through someone else’s eyes. Through stories of university, of Harvard, of who he’d been before everything.
How caring he was.
With his friends.
With his clients.
