Mr. Martins dragged his hand through his hair, fingers catching slightly at the back of his neck as though he were trying to steady himself.
“Mrs. Taylor, I—”
The door opened without a knock.
Matthew stepped in, phone in hand, mid-sentence. He stopped when he saw her standing near his desk.
The shift in his face was quick but visible. His eyes widened a fraction before narrowing in confusion.
“Ava?”
She didn’t move, she didn’t soften. She held his gaze evenly. “Good morning.”
He glanced at Mr. Martins, then back at her, as though trying to understand what he had walked into.
“What are you doing here?”
She tilted her head slightly. “Is that a welcome?”
“I mean—” He stepped further inside, letting the door close behind him. “You didn’t say you were coming.”
“I wanted to.”
He frow
