The pause this time is longer. It shouldn’t matter. It does.
KIERAN
Everyone says that
Contract’s not signed
And even if it was
I switched to MechE for a reason
I actually like the work
Something in my chest shifts. Not softening—recalibrating. The steel-blue steadiness creeps in, quiet and grounding, and I resent how easily it settles.
WREN
Even if I agreed
Which I’m not
What’s in it for me?
KIERAN
Money. Lesspain in 204
Three dots.
My breath holds without my permission.
Then:
KIERAN
And an elective in social engineering
A beat.
KIERAN
Specifically, getting a certain smart guy with glasses to notice you
My stomach drops. Heat rushes my face, sharp and immediate.
I freeze.
Kieran O’Connor does not miss.
WREN
I’m not interested in your help with that
KIERAN
You sure? I can nudge without breaking anything
I glance at Larisa—one leg kicked free of the blanket, her breathing slow and even. She dreams in pink noise. I dream in color. Tonight, bothare too loud.
