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“I did.”

“And?”

“He used president face.”

Mercy sighs. “I hate president face.”

Bitter’s gaze comes back to me.

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“Interrupting.”

That catches me off guard.

“You're standing in a doorway.”

“Still counts.”

I look at him.

He looks back.

No reaching. No nickname. No attempt to turn two seconds of eye contact into progress.

Then he nods once toward Raven.

“Looks good.”

I glance at the hand. “You can tell from there?”

“No.”

My mouth twitches.

Bitter almost smiles.

“I know you're good at it.”

There.

That one gets me.

I look down too quickly. “Mercy said so.”

“She doesn't lie about work.”

“No.”

“Means you're good.”

Then he leaves.

Just walks away.

Junie waits until his footsteps disappear, then whistles softly.