The shift in her tone made me look up. Her posture had changed—shoulders squared, jaw set. Whatever was coming wasn't about studying.
"I'm listening."
"This morning. What you said at breakfast."
Ah. So we were doing this now.
"Which part specifically?" I kept my voice neutral.
"The part where you basically friend-zoned all of us because your job is more important."
I sighed. "That's not what I said."
"It's what you meant."
"No, it's not."
"Then what did you mean?" She leaned forward, eyes intense. "Because it sounded like you were pretending nothing happened between us."
I stared her down, refusing to be the first to look away. "I meant exactly what I said. Your mother threatened my sister's future. I can't afford to play games that put Iris at risk."
"We're not playing games," she said quietly.
"Then what do you call last night? The four of you fighting over me in the hallway like I'm some prize to be won?"
She flinched, and I immediately regretted my harsh tone.
