As his footsteps faded, the building seemed to exhale around them, systems returning to normal operations. Daniel turned to her, concern evident in the set of his shoulders. “You okay?”

“Better than okay,” Juniper replied, surprising herself with the truth of it. “We’re ready for this. The affected deserve nothing less.”

They worked through early evening, professional boundaries softening but holding in place as they built their case. The city remained alive outside their windows, holiday shoppers still flooding the stacked streets below, their movements creating rivers of light between the illuminated storefronts.

Don’t think about how good he looks in this light. Juniper caught herself biting her lip, eyes closing for just a moment before she forced them open again.

As the clock approached nine, they gathered their materials with the quiet satisfaction of focused progress.

“See you tomorrow?” Daniel asked as they reached the lobby, his voice carrying that warmth that always made her pulse skip.

“Counting on it,” Juniper replied, allowing herself a small smile.