Leonard didn't let the air grow heavy.
"I'll have something for you tomorrow," he said again, lighter this time. "Okay? Just don't go back to work at the Cave. Please."
He gave me a playful look. "It would've looked cute when you were fourteen… maybe sixteen. But not right now," he teased and then gave me a wink.
I think he did it to ease the seriousness that had crept into the room. And it worked. I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay," I said softly.
And then we all turned our attention back to dinner. Victor quietly leaned against me like he always did when he felt safe, and things felt almost normal.
The next day at dinner, Leonard shared the news with a proud smile. His voice was calm but carried a note of excitement.
"So," he began, placing his fork down, "I spoke with a partner on this offline project I've been working on, and I asked if there were any available positions. They agreed. You'll be starting at the HR office."
