And just like that, the room shifted.

His eyes landed on me—not startled, not annoyed. More like I’d stepped into something he hadn’t decided whether to hide or let me see.

I froze so sharply the files nearly slid from my grip.

“Sorry…I didn’t knock. My hands were full.”

My voice sounded thin, too aware of itself.

He didn’t answer right away.

He just looked at me. Really looked. His tie hung loosely from one hand, his shirt slightly undone, his hair mussed like ...