By the time I left work, it was almost 7 p.m.
The entire building had thinned out long before I stepped out of the conference room. Most sane people had gone home. Even the janitorial staff had started politely hovering, waiting for me to clear the hallway so they could lock up the floor.
But today wasn't about being sane, it was about surviving the last stretch before the final presentation for the Meridian Development Initiative. Three weeks. That's all that stood between us and the finish line.
I wasn't surprised when Val didn't beat me home.
The house was quiet when I pushed open the front door. The kind of quiet that wasn't empty… just waiting. Warm lights were already on, though — Aline's touch. The soft glow from the entryway spread across the living room, mixing with the faint, comforting smell of food.
Aline popped her head out from the kitchen the moment she heard me.
] "Good evening, sir."
"Evening, Aline." I slipped off my shoes. "Val's not back yet?"
