It was late afternoon, and the office had mostly emptied.
Layla was coming down the steps of the building when Luke appeared again—like he'd timed it.
This time, he wasn't leaning on his car. He was waiting beside it, holding two paper cups.
"I got you the coffee you like," he said, handing one out.
Layla hesitated, glancing around. She took it. "Thank you."
"No big deal," Luke replied. "I remember things when I care."
Layla gave a nervous smile. "Flattery again?"
"Just facts."
Then he stepped in, not too close—but close enough to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. "You look tired. You should let someone take care of you."
She didn't have a chance to respond.
A voice came from behind. Cold. Controlled. Too calm to be harmless.
"Is this what you do now, Layla?"
She turned fast.
Damian.
Standing at the top of the stairs. His face blank, but his eyes said everything.
Luke straightened. "Didn't see you there."
"Clearly." Damian began to descend slowly, every step deliberate.
Layla held her breath.
When he reached them, his gaze didn't leave Luke's.
"You've been lurking quite a lot lately," Damian said, voice low.
Luke smiled, unaffected. "I didn't know I needed permission to talk to someone."
"You don't," Damian replied, jaw tight. "Just know where the line is."
"I wasn't aware we were still drawing lines. Especially since she's the one choosing to talk to me."
"Luke." Layla's voice was quiet. A warning.
But Damian wasn't done. He stepped closer, his calm cracking at the edges. "This isn't a playground. Don't push your luck."
Luke raised his brows, slow. "Is that a threat, Damian?"
A pause.
Damian looked past him. At Layla.
"No," he said, voice quieter. "It's a reminder."
Then, just like that, he turned and walked back into the building.
Layla stood frozen. The air around them heavy.
Luke shook his head with a dry chuckle. "What a man."
She looked at him. "He's not usually like that."
"Sure he is," Luke said, sipping his own coffee. "Just not with you."
Layla didn't reply. Her hand tightened around the cup.
Later that night, Damian sent her one message.
"I overstepped. I'm sorry."
Only to her.
No one else.
And somehow, that meant everything.