"Nathan," he said, voice deep. "You are needed in Conference Room B."
Nathan nodded and patted my shoulder gently before leaving.
As the door closed, only Ethan remained.
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "You have been buried in work today."
"Claire assigned them."
"Mmm." His eyes darkened slightly. "She seems confused about your job description."
"She is just testing me."
"And you do not mind being tested?"
"I mind," I whispered. "But I do not want anyone to think I am weak."
He stared at me — really stared.
Like he was peeling back years of silence, layers of old scars.
"You are not weak," he said quietly.
Something fluttered in my chest.
"You do not have to prove anything to anybody."
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "You have been buried in work today."
"Claire assigned them."
"Mmm." His eyes darkened slightly. "She seems confused about your job description."
"She is just testing me."
"And you do not mind being tested?"
