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Harold sighed. “She usually does.”

The next day at work, Claire had barely made it to her desk before Avery appeared. She dropped into the chair across from Claire’s desk and crossed her arms. “You went on a double date.”

Claire looked up from her laptop. “Good morning to you too.”

“You posted fried pickles.”

“That could mean anything.”

“It means you voluntarily socialized after work.”

Claire waited.

“I know Julia. She posted the same fried pickles.” Avery continued, leaning forward as if sharing confidential intelligence. “I conducted a brief investigation and discovered that her boyfriend, Cole, works with Chinese Food Guy AKA Hot Neighbor.”

“His name is Noah.”

“I know his name.”

“You still call him Chinese Food Guy.”

“Because that is who he was when this began.” Avery studied her for a moment. “You’ve changed.”

Claire narrowed her eyes. “That sounded ominous.”

“In a good way. A healthy way.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You take lunch now.”

“Sometimes.”

“You left before six three times last week.”

Claire frowned. “Are you tracking me?”

“I notice things.”

“That is disturbing.”

“You also don’t look permanently exhausted anymore.”

Claire glanced toward her computer. “I guess you can thank Noah for some of that. I have something I actually want to leave work for now.”

Avery pressed a hand to her chest. “Excuse me. You had me.”

“You leave at five.”

“Because I possess boundaries.”

Claire laughed and took a sip of coffee. Her signature iced vanilla late. Oat milk.

Avery’s expression softened. “You know leaving before dark hasn’t made you worse at your job, right?”

“I never said it had.”

“You act like the entire agency will collapse if you aren’t the last person here.”