He met her gaze again, the tightness around his expression eased. “I’m trying, Juniper. I really am. Maybe together, we can find the right balance between caution and boldness.”

“I know,” she said gently, her hazel eyes flickering with understanding. “And I appreciate it. We will make a good team when we work together.”

Just as they were about to continue, Daniel’s device vibrated insistently on the table. He glanced at it, and something shifted in his demeanor. His shoulders tensed, his jaw tightened. He dragged a hand down his face, the gesture betraying a weariness that hadn’t been there moments before. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice strained. “I have another engagement I need to get to.”

Juniper felt a pit form in her stomach, her earlier optimism deflating like a punctured balloon. They’d finally found a rhythm, finally started connecting, and now… she forced herself to keep her voice steady. “But we’re not finished here. We still have so much to cover.”

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely conflicted. The walls were going back up… she could see it happening in real-time. “I know. I’m sorry. We’re already well prepared to file.” He hesitated, as if wanting to say more, then seemed to think better of it. “It’s unavoidable.”

Of course it is, she thought, the familiar sting of disappointment sharp in her chest. Just when I thought…