Except I see it.
The slight tremor in her fingers.
The adrenaline crash starting to hit.
She hides it well.
But not from me.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
Her eyes flick up instantly.
Alert.
Always.
“You good?”
A beat.
Then she nods.
“I’m fine.”
Lie.
Not a big one.
But still.
I push off the wall and close the distance between us, ignoring the way my body protests every step.
“You don’t have to do that with me,” I murmur.
Her brows pull together slightly. “Do what?”
“Pretend you’re not running on fumes.”
Something shifts in her expression.
Not defensive.
Not closed off.
Just… real.
For a second.
Then she exhales slowly.
“I’m not falling apart, Jase.”
“I know.”
I step closer.
Close enough that the space between us disappears.
