I woke up slowly.
The apartment was quiet. The city light came low through the curtains, and I laid there for a moment and let the memories of the day before settle in my chest. The ethics board hearing. The drive. The restaurant and the beach. His hands and the sound of the ocean behind us. I let myself feel it all again.
I stayed there another moment before I got up and went to the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth. Then I padded out into the apartment.
His office door was slightly open.
I slowed as I passed it. Through the gap I could see Zane at his desk, papers arranged neatly, while Roman stood in front of him. Roman's voice was low, his posture different from how it was when I usually saw him. Less stiff, less formal.
"It's handled, Wolf," Roman said to him. "As a
