"Did they say anything about us?" Marie asks, brightness knife-edged. "About our house? About me?"
I shrug. "They said they enjoy having us all as neighbors. Even you, Marie."
Her shoulders drop, tension easing. It lasts two seconds before her gaze sharpens again.
Ragon clears his throat. "I wanted to talk to you. Alone."
The old me would've gone rigid. Now there's just a gentle, distant curiosity.
"Of course. Study?"
He nods.
I cross the room, taking the long way: wide around his chair, further from his scent, careful not to brush Marie or Drake. Eli's hand jerks like he wants to reach out. Jasper's gaze tracks me.
I don't look at any of them for more than a heartbeat.
The air in his study is cooler, like he keeps the window cracked.
He shuts the door behind us with a soft click.
"Sit," he says, then seems to think better of it, gestures vaguely at the chair. "If you want."
I stay standing. It lets me keep my spine straight, hands folded.
He watches that. The neutrality. The distance.
"You were eager to go to their house."
"It's next door. Finn invited me. You gave permission."
His mouth presses into a line. "How was it? Really."
"Kind. They were kind."
"And?"
"And what?"
He shifts in his chair. "You're composed."
"You said you wanted that."
He exhales. "I wanted you stable. Grounded. Not—" His hand moves. "Not like you were."
Jealous, clingy, desperate, territorial.
"I understand."
He leans back, expression softening. "You've handled the last two weeks very well. Better than I expected. You've been respectful. Helpful. Cooperative. No more lashing out at Marie. No more tantrums."
Two weeks ago, that list would have knifed me. Now it lands like someone describing a stranger.
"Thank you."
"I think it's time to lift your ban."
I blink. "All right."
