Allie
The charity meeting ended later than expected.
By the time the final committee member left, most of the building had become quiet. Volunteers carried empty coffee cups and presentation folders toward the elevators while the foundation director remained inside the conference room answering one last call.
I stood near the reception desk, checking a message from Chase.
CHASE: Practice is running late. Security will drive you home.
I smiled.
Months earlier, that message might have sounded like an instruction.
Now I understood the difference.
He was giving me information, not deciding for me.
I replied that I would wait downstairs.
Then the elevator opened.
Logan stepped out alone.
My body reacted before my thoughts did.
Not fear exactly.
Awareness.
The old instinct to meas
