Suzy steadied her breathing, smoothing down the faint ripple of emotion in her chest before stepping forward and pulling the door open.
Outside, Thomas stood waiting.
His lips were pressed into a thin line as his gaze flicked over the two of them—lingering just long enough to catch the subtle awkwardness they hadn't quite managed to hide.
"Finished talking?" he asked.
"We're done," Suzy replied evenly. "Let's head back."
After a quick farewell to Derek, she turned to leave with Thomas. Just before going, she tapped her phone and said, "Stay in touch."
Derek smiled brightly and nodded.
The two of them made their way back through the darkened stairwell, moving one after the other in silence.
Then Thomas suddenly spoke. "Is he your boyfriend?"
The question caught Suzy off guard for a split second, but she answered calmly, "No. He's just a junior from school."
