"If you want it, it's yours."
"No way. Do you know how rare this is? Medical researchers would kill for access to this." Amelia cradled the old medical volume in her hands like a fragile treasure. "I'll just read it here, if that's okay."
Alan smiled faintly, his expression softening as he leaned back in his chair. "Be my guest."
With that, Amelia curled herself into the armchair near the window, her knees tucked beneath her as if she were settling in for a long story. Within moments, her world had narrowed to the neat black lines of the text, her focus absolute.
Alan turned back to his desk, the scratching of his pen filling the quiet room. Every so often, his eyes flickered toward her, watching the subtle movements of her face as she read. The concentration, the faint curve of her lips when something intrigued her—it was oddly peaceful, grounding even.
