"My keys. I can't—" My voice cracked. "I can't find them."
"Okay. Relax. When did you last have them?"
I tried to think. Couldn't. My brain felt stuffed with static.
"I don't know. This morning? I don't?—"
"It's okay." He stood and started scanning the floor. "They're here somewhere. Did you check storage?"
I hadn't.
I pushed to my feet and stumbled toward the storage room, pulse hammering in my ears.
"I can walk you to your car," Ben called after me. "Or wait with you until you find them. It's late?—"
"I'm fine." The words came out sharper than I meant. I softened my tone. "Really. I'll find them."
I didn't want his help. Didn't want to owe anyone anything. Didn't want to be the girl who needed rescuing.
The storage room smelled like cardboard and cleaning solution. I flipped the light on and scanned the shelves.
Nothing.
I moved a crate. Checked behind it.
There—wedged between the crate and the wall, glinting faintly under the fluorescent light.
My keys.
Relief hit so hard I nearly collapsed. I grabbed them and pressed my forehead against the cool metal shelving for just a second.
Breathe.
I was fine. Everything was fine.
I stepped out of the storage room, keys clutched tight in my fist, relief still buzzing under my skin… and walked straight into him.
Rhys. Leaning against the hallway wall like he'd grown there, hoodie pulled up, hands shoved deep in his pockets. Shadows carved his face into something sharp and unreadable.
He looked like he'd been waiting. For what, I didn't know.
We both froze.
My breath caught. Heat flooded my face instantly—embarrassment, awareness, something worse I refused to name.
The keys slipped.
His hand shot out, fingers closing around my elbow before I registered the movement. Steadying me with a touch so careful it made my chest ache.
Then he let go.
Fast. Like the contact burned him.
He stepped back, expression shuttering completely.
"Sorry." My voice came out too high. "I didn't—didn't see you there."
"My fault." Low. Quiet. That same controlled tone that somehow made the air feel thinner.
