The next morning, Verdenne woke to a gray sky and a steady drizzle.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, the memory of last night's laughter still warm on my skin.
Lior's words kept echoing in my mind — not afraid of who we were, afraid of losing each other.
I pulled on a jacket and headed out, the streets slick with rain but alive with early risers.
My phone buzzed. A message from Adrian: "Case files updated. Need your input ASAP."
Work waited, but so did Lior.
At the lab, the hum of machines and the sharp scent of chemicals grounded me, but my thoughts drifted back to the pilot with the gold stripes.
A knock on the door startled me.
"Professor Elreth?"
Adrian stepped in, soaked from the rain, carrying a sheaf of papers. "Sorry to drop in unannounced, but we need to review these before tomorrow's lecture."
I gestured to the cluttered desk. "Bring it on."
As we poured over the files, I caught myself glancing at the window, wondering where Lior was, if he was safe in the skies or already thinking of me.
The afternoon slipped away faster than I wanted.
When I finally stepped outside, the rain had stopped, and the city glistened under a weak sun.
My phone buzzed again. This time, Lior.
"Flight delayed. Could meet after? Somewhere quiet."
My heart jumped.
I typed back: "Absolutely. Pick a place."