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I thought about it. “Yesterday, I think. Before the alarm.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to order lunch for the team.”

“Alexander, that isn’t necessary.”

“I respectfully disagree.” His attention remained on the phone a second longer. “Sandwiches should cover most preferences. And a coffee. Two creamers. One sugar.”

Of course he remembered. He always seemed to. “You’ll have lunch,” he said. “And tonight, I’ll take you to dinner.”

“I may be working late. I have to see if—”

“Emilia. I remember someone once telling me that perhaps it was time to stop postponing their life. The work will be here tomorrow. I’ll be at your door at six.”

I smiled. “I’ll be ready at six.”

I continued working until a knock sounded on my door. I looked up to see Charlotte standing there with the most worried expression I had ever seen on her face.

I stood up and walked over to her as we embraced.

“Thank goodness you’re all right! I wanted to call you yesterday but thought you might want some time to process.”

“Thank you, Charlotte. I did need the time.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I told her. The smell. The alarm. The evacuation. Priya missing.

“You ran back inside?”

“I knew where Priya would be, and I knew what she was trying to save wasn’t worth the risk she was taking.”

“Oh Emilia.” She shook her head. “I want to be furious with you, but of course you ran back for her.”

“You would have done the same thing.”

“That is completely beside the point.”

I laughed. “Please don’t ever make me find out.”

“How did you get her out?” Charlotte asked.

“Alexander came in after us. He took us down a stairwell I hadn’t noticed before.”

Charlotte’s eyebrows lifted. “He followed you into the building.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m very glad he was there.”

“So am I.” I smiled, and Charlotte caught it immediately.

“What is that smile about?”

“He ordered lunch for the team. And he is taking me to dinner tonight.”

“Another Project Aurora dinner?” she said, teasing me.

I shook my head, laughing. We continued talking while she helped me decide what to wear for my dinner with Alexander. She made me promise to meet her for lunch tomorrow. I agreed. We embraced again before she left.