ANNA’S POV
The office felt different today. It wasn’t loud, not busier, just sharper like the air itself was holding its breath.
And maybe it was just me holding mine.
Nicholas hadn’t given me an answer yesterday.
Not a yes, not a no.
Just that cool, unreadable look that never seemed to blink long enough for me to read between the lines.
I told myself he didn’t reject me, that meant something.
Today, I intended to change everything.
I balanced the tray of coffee cups in my hands, making sure his was perfectly centered, the foam art a delicate swirl I’d asked the barista to make extra smooth.
The rich, dark scent rose, wrapping around me like confidence.
My heels clicked softly across the marble floor as I went to his private office, rehearsing every line I’d stored in my head
