The car stopped as usual in front of Building 6 of The Groman Apartments.
Adrian Shaw walked Serena Stanton to the elevator, stopped, slipped one hand in his pocket, and let go of her hand.
The warmth in her palm faded away. Serena awkwardly hid her hand behind her back and said to him, "I'm going up now."
Adrian let out a lazy "Mm," watching her step into the elevator.
He didn't go upstairs—once someone did, everyone knew they'd be stuck there, unable to leave again.
Serena stood in the gleaming elevator carriage, her fingertip hovering over the button for a few seconds before slowly pressing down.
She shifted her gaze, looking outside at Adrian. Her eyes shimmered with moist light, like springtime lipstick blossoms, carrying a cool allure all their own.
Serena stared at him in silence, heart feeling uncomfortably hollow, a vague sense of unease—as if this parting meant she'd never see him again.
