Brodosky's shoulders dropped, the tension bleeding from his frame as Delvin's words worked their way under his skin. He exhaled through his nose—a long, measured breath.
"Alright, let me think about it." The words came out quieter than he'd intended.
Delvin's face split into a grin. "Great, just don't take long." He turned on his heel, already walking back toward his suite before Brodosky could respond.
Brodosky remained in the corridor, staring at nothing. 'Earthians. Always so damn persuasive.'
Delvin pushed open the door to his suite. Empty. The bed was still made, the chair by the window untouched. His chest tightened. 'I told her I'd be back.' He dragged a hand down his face and sighed, the sound filling the hollow room. 'She must've gotten bored waiting. I took too long.'
---
In the airship's seating compartment, Jasmine sat beside her mother, their knees almost touching in the narrow space.
