The door closed behind them with a soft click.
---
Iva leaned against the wall, her heart still racing.
Caleb stood beside her, his hand warm on the small of her back.
"What is your impression?" she asked quietly.
Caleb shook his head slowly.
"Honestly?" He let out a breath. "I have no idea. He's in shock. That much is clear. But how he'll react once the shock wears off..." He trailed off, shrugging. "Attia is not an easy man to read."
Iva closed her eyes.
She thought of Lori—waiting somewhere on campus. She thought of the fear in her friend's eyes, the self-doubt, the quiet resignation that she would never be enough.
And she prayed.
*Goddess,* she thought, *please let this work. Please let him be kind. Please let Lori find the happiness she deserves.*
"Come on," Caleb said, tug
