The door closed with a soft click, and Ryan's jaw flexed as though he were physically restraining a reaction. He didn't sigh — he never did — but the air around him loosened for the first time since morning.
He rubbed his thumb lightly against the edge of his cup, a subtle tell of agitation only someone very observant could catch.
Liam, naturally, caught it.
He pushed himself away from the doorframe and strolled toward the table, arms crossed, eyebrows lifted like someone watching a slow-burning fire.
"You didn't even look at him properly," Liam murmured. "But the moment he asked to come back, you agreed."
Ryan didn't lift his gaze from the document he was scanning.
"Because he asked," he said simply.
Liam huffed a short, humorless laugh.
"Right. And if I ask?" he teased, leaning just a little closer, tone light but intentional.
Ryan didn't even think — he shifted an inch away, almost imperceptibly, but the rejection hit like a slap. He didn't see Liam's face fall briefly before he recomposed himself.
"I don't entertain foolish questions," Ryan said calmly, flipping a page.
Max, who had been cleaning up empty plates, saw the entire exchange and nearly choked on his own breath.
This boss… selective softness is a dangerous thing.
Liam rolled his eyes but didn't push further. Instead, he walked around the table until he was in Ryan's line of sight again and before he could continue, max continue for him
"Just saying boss," he murmured, tone deceptively casual, "it's interesting. You ice everyone out — even me — but him?" His lips twitched. "He just whispers 'please,' and you melt like hot wax."
Ryan's pen froze mid-line.
For one second — one — his composure cracked. His fingers tightened around the pen, knuckles whitening before he forced them to relax.
"I don't melt," he said coldly.
Max smiled like a fox . "If you say s boss"
Ryan resumed writing, jaw tight, acting like he hadn't heard.
But he had.
While Liam face is as dark as the pot
Max stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Boss, do you want your lunch now or—"
"No."
Short, clipped, distant—but the cold wasn't the same as before. There was a thread of irritation woven through it now. Something unsettled him.
Or someone.
Kia.
Max sighed internally. Tonight was going to be chaos.
Because Ryan wasn't just waiting for Kia to return.
He was preparing for it.
Even if he refused to admit it out loud.