By the time we got home that night, my body was tired—but my mind refused to settle.
The Harrington estate faded behind us as the car moved smoothly through the quiet streets, the city lights blurring past the window. Leon sat beside me, silent but present, his jacket loosened, his tie undone just enough to signal the end of duty for the day.
Dinner had gone better than I expected and that alone should have made me relax but instead, my thoughts kept circling around Lance’s birthday. The beach house. The invitation extended so casually, yet carrying weight beneath its surface.
When we finally reached home, I slipped out of my heels the moment the door closed behind us, letting out a quiet breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
Leon glanced at me. “Long day?”
“You could say that,”
