Jay POV
The elevator doors were closing when a hand slid between them.
I sighed before I even looked.
"Of course," I muttered.
The doors slid back open, revealing Keifer—tie loose, jacket slung over his shoulder, expression relaxed like he hadn't just disrupted my peace on purpose.
"Morning again," he said easily. "Seems like fate's working overtime."
"I don't believe in fate," I replied, pressing the button for my floor again. "Only bad timing."
He stepped in anyway.
The doors closed.
Too quiet.
Too close.
I kept my gaze forward, calm, unaffected. I could feel him beside me—not touching, not crowding, just there. That was worse. He knew it too.
"You always this unfriendly before noon?" he asked.
"Only with people who ask unnecessary questions."
He chuckled softly. "Good to know I'm special."
Keifer POV
She smelled like something clean and sharp—confidence, maybe. Or control.
I didn't lean closer. Didn't box her in. I'd learned that lesson.
Instead, I mirrored her posture, casual, relaxed, like this elevator wasn't charged with eight years of history.
"You heading to Aurelian?" I asked.
She glanced at me, surprised for half a second before masking it. "Keeping tabs on me now?"
"Just staying informed," I replied. "CEO life tends to be… interesting."
Her lips curved, not quite a smile. "Careful, Keifer. Curiosity can be mistaken for interest."
I met her gaze. "What if it is interest?"
The elevator dinged.
Saved by the bell.
Jay POV
I stepped out first, heels clicking against the marble floor of the lobby. I didn't look back—but I felt him follow.
Outside, the air was warmer. The city louder. Real life intruding.
I stopped walking.
"So," I said, turning to face him, "what do you want?"
He paused, surprised—not by the question, but by the lack of hostility in my tone.
"A conversation," he said honestly. "Not a fight. Not forgiveness. Just… conversation."
That was new.
I studied him for a long moment. The man in front of me wasn't begging. Wasn't demanding. He looked steady. Curious.
Dangerous in a quieter way.
"Five minutes," I said. "Walk with me."
Lucas POV
I spotted them from across the street.
Walking. Side by side. No tension obvious enough to alarm—but enough to notice.
Keifer kept his hands in his pockets. Jay walked half a step ahead.
Control.
Always control.
I didn't interfere. Not yet.
Keifer POV
We walked in silence for a minute before I spoke again.
"You're different," I said.
She didn't slow down. "So are you."
"I mean it," I added. "You're calmer. Sharper."
She glanced at me. "And you're less reckless than you used to be."
I smiled. "You bring out growth in people."
She scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
But she didn't deny it.
Jay POV
This was dangerous territory.
Not because of what he said—but because of how normal it felt.
Walking beside him. Talking without anger. Without accusation.
I stopped near a crosswalk.
"We're not fixing anything today," I said quietly. "Don't confuse civility with progress."
He nodded. "Understood."
A beat.
"Still," he added, softer, "I'm glad we're not at war."
I met his eyes. Held them.
"So am I," I admitted.
The light changed.
I stepped back.
"See you around, neighbor."
And then I walked away.
Keifer POV
I watched her go.
Not chasing.
Not calling her back.
Just letting the moment exist.
For the first time since she returned, I felt something settle—not certainty, not victory.
But possibility.