William’s POV
Before the meeting with Tessa:
As I stepped into Riley's house, I was taken aback by his uncharacteristic appearance. Gone was the usual casual, laid-back Riley, replaced by a man who looked like he had been through a wringer. His worn jeans and faded t-shirt were a far cry from his typical stylish attire, and the dark circles under his eyes suggested he had been burning the midnight oil. Despite his disheveled state, he greeted me with a warm smile and ushered me in, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
As we entered the living room, he nodded approvingly at my suit, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You look sharp, William," he said, his voice laced with a hint of admiration. I felt a surge of pride at his compliment, but my nerves quickly took over as I asked the
