“Do you always announce yourself like a plot twist?" Nora asked, trailing Mia to the elevator with two cappuccinos balanced like trophies.
“Only on days that end with y," Mia said, pressing the down button and failing to look unfazed.
“Report," Nora insisted.
“He wants a winter capsule," Mia said. “And noodles. Not a date."
Nora waggled her brows. “All noodles are dates if the slurp is sincere."
The doors slid open. Priya stepped out, took in Mia's face, and smiled in that quiet way that felt like someone handing you a towel after you've swum farther than planned. “Good?"
“Good," Mia said, surprising herself with how simple it felt to say. “Also weird."
“Good is often weird," Priya said. “Go walk it off. Come back and make metal jealous."
Mia laughed and took the stairs instead, th
