Sophia accepted with a playful “Hey, I know you,” while Juniper reached for her own seat at the same moment Daniel did, the brush of his sleeve against her arm… a current seeking ground and finding none. She withdrew before it could arc, the phantom of a spark still singeing her nerve endings.

“Oh, let me push in your stool,” he offered smoothly.

“Oh what a blessing to see you in my presence,” Juniper heard herself mutter, the sarcasm bleeding through despite her attempt at professionalism. Daniel and Sophia only exchanging a quick glance…

As if I need help sitting in a chair, she thought acidly. Juniper’s face twisted with barely concealed exasperation, her jaw clenching as she forced herself to allow it. Her spine stiffened as he stepped close, the heat of him radiating against her back for one endless moment. She focused on her breathing, trying to ignore how familiar his cologne still was. The moment she settled, Sophia’s eyes went wide with barely contained mirth.