Joseph's POV

　　I knew I had no right to feel it. Not after this morning. Not after she asked me to leave. Not when I could still hear her voice, sharp with distance: "Don't come back again."

　　"…You're not even listening, are you?"

　　I blinked, turning toward Ryan, my colleague and unfortunate date for the evening. His brow was lifted, mouth half-curved in amusement as he nursed a whiskey on the rocks.

　　"Of course, I'm listening," I replied ...