Max doesn’t step away.
He stays there. Close enough that his shoulder brushes mine when he shifts.
Alex notices.
His hand, still resting at my back, slides just slightly higher.
Francesco huffs a laugh. “You two starting already?”
Max tilts his head. “Starting? I never stopped.”
Enzo folds his arms, leaning casually against the table. “Funny. From where I stood, you weren’t invited.”
Cassian moves beside me then, not speaking, just resting his palm lightly against the counter near my hand. A silent presence — but deliberate.
Five directions. Five different kinds of attention.
I exhale. “You’re all crazy.”
“Say that again,” Francesco says, stepping closer. “But slower.”
Lucas watches with open amusement from the wall. “This is better than television.”
Gabriel nods. “Much better
