*POV Derby*
The second meeting somehow felt harder than the first. Maybe because this time, neither of us could pretend we were complete strangers anymore.
I arrived before almost everyone else, taking a seat near the middle of the table where I hoped I could disappear into the crowd.. I lined up my notebook, laptop, and pen with unnecessary precision, anything to keep my hands busy. By the time the first people walked in, I'd already arranged the same calm expression I'd been wearing all week.
**Just get through the meeting, I reminded myself. One hour. That's all." promised myself I'd keep everything strictly professional, no matter how many times our paths crossed today.
The quiet didn't last long. Within minutes, conversations bounced around the room as people settled into their se
