Beneath the boardroom lights

p out of the Lennox Tower lobby, the cr

inst the pavement, the glow of streetlights reflecting off glass

ck on the

slide into the backseat of the

me with the kind of familiarity that comes after years of loyalty. He's been with my family for as long as I can remember-driving me

arview mirror. I sigh, s

iell

weaving through the city with the skill of a man who c

le Ca

college-an expensive, ivy-covered instituti

entation. She's the kind of woman who makes people feel like they belong. Warm, effortlessly funny, always

ow, I need t

on the Upper East Side, Brielle's already f

corporate queen, gracing us peasan

a hug before I

ridicu

gs me

rt thinking I'm running an illegal un

***

living room. I sink into the plush velvet couch as Briel

ll me eve

ng a perfectly mani

s it soul-sucking? Did yo

esit

..intere

's eyes

ike that t

rubbing m

with Nico

then leans in

ch, stupidly handsome, could-literally-destroy

her a

's the

ts out a lo

nd

esit

business. Tense. Competitive. He's

s her head, e

t like that's t

exh

we s

shi

just...there. Like static in the air. He-he held my gaze lo

ursts int

Wh

sco

ed to ge

llow at her. She dodge

erious

s betwee

kable businesswoman' era that one glance from a dangerou

t malfun

tioning," she snorts

. Let me

re of Nico. And not just any picture-one of those absurdly perfect, effortlessly powerful candids taken at some exclusive Monac

ts out a dr

support you losing you

my face. "I'm not

looks like that held eye contact with me for more than

ghing despite myself.

friend, are

about everything and nothing-just two friends esc

time. "I should go. It

e me on every interaction wit

happe

ns. "We'

**

dows. My mind should be on work. On tomorrow. Instead, for a brief second, it f

t the window, eyes fluttering shut as the

**

en my refuge-a way to keep my mind fro

my apartment early, aiming to d

sheet on my screen. I glanced at the sleek clock on

I opted to fetch lunch myself rath

welcome change from the of

Le District. Its ambiance exuded exclusivity, with soft lighting reflecting off

placed my order-a classic salad

cating scent wafted past-a

ing something within me. Lift

e he

Gio

a heartbeat, the bustli

le spread across his

he greeted, hi

triving for composure. "I di

" he explained, "finalizing

ts , the memory of our

e?" I offered, s

ile wi

cross from me, I couldn't help but wonder