Maya's sudden appearance had thrown them both, and Clara felt heat rise to her cheeks as the younger researcher quickly stammered out an apology.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to disturb—" Maya turned on her heel and hurried out of the lab, leaving a small whirlwind of papers and equipment in her wake.
Clara blinked, embarrassed. She hadn't realized she'd been holding Nathaniel's hand so tightly, and for a split second she almost let go, curling her fingers away.
But his thumb brushed over her knuckles, a gentle tug, and she felt a smile tug at her lips. He returned it, calm and quiet, before finally letting go.
