Desi stepped out of the clinic, exhaustion weighing heavy on her shoulders. Her shift had been grueling, and Victor's condition still lingered in her thoughts. The crisp evening air greeted her as she walked toward her car, fumbling with her keys, her mind elsewhere.
The sound of approaching footsteps made her pause, and when she looked up, Lucas was there.
“Desi,” Lucas called from behind her, his voice softer than she expected. She paused, keys in hand, but didn’t turn around.
“What do you want, Lucas?” she asked, keeping her tone neutral.
“Let me drive you home,” he said, stepping closer.
She turned, her eyes cold and unreadable. “Why?”
“Because I want to make sure you’re safe.”
Desi’s grip on her keys tightened as she studied him. His tall frame loomed in the dim light, but ther
