The word hangs there.
Logan’s attention sharpens.
“How?” he asks.
I meet his eyes.
And this time—
I don’t look away.
“He’s watching how we respond to pressure,” I explain. “Not just operationally. Personally.”
A beat.
“He’s looking for shifts.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Because now they all feel it.
Not just me.
“What kind of shifts?” Russ asks.
I don’t hesitate.
“Connection,” I say.
The word lands.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
Boone exhales slowly. “That’s a problem.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” I reply.
My gaze flicks to Logan again.
Then back to the table.
“If we let it change how we operate—yes,” I continue. “But if we recognize it…”
I pause.
Because this part matters.
“…then it becomes predictable.”
Logan steps in slightly.
Not taking over.
Standing with me.
