Naime slipped out of Drake’s apartment early in the morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee still clinging to her fingers. She lingered over the last sips, savoring the warmth, the quiet intimacy, the easy laughter from the night before. Her plan had been a week away from work, a small escape to reset, but it seemed Drevin had other ideas. Still, she moved through the streets with a light step, her mood buoyed by memories of Drake, the way his smile had caught her off guard, the soft weight of his hand in hers. She had feared their connection might falter once she realized they shared the same circle of friends, but every worry dissolved the moment she felt the effortless pull between them. Neither of them had minded at all, and that fact settled in her chest with a quiet satisfaction.
