The clock hit six.
One by one, screens dimmed across the floor, chairs scraped, and laughter floated faintly as people gathered their bags, eager for the weekend.
Noel shut down his system last, stacking his files with neat precision that only came from habit.
The others were already gone—Ren's chatter fading down the hall, Jace muttering something about meeting friends.
The office emptied, leaving behind the echo of humming lights and faint perfume of paper and coffee.
He stood there for a moment, fingers still on the edge of the desk, steadying himself.
Then his phone buzzed.
**Luca:** Lobby.
No punctuation. Just that—simple, certain. It made him smile, a small curve he didn't even fight.
He grabbed his jacket, heading for the elevator.
When the doors opened, Luca was there—leaning against the glass wall, hands tucked in his pockets again, hair a little mussed, tie loose like he'd had enough of pretending.
