Ryder nods once. “Then we tell her.”
The door creaks open.
All three of us turn as if we’ve been caught plotting a coup.
Aurora stands there. “…Why does this look like an intervention?”
I wince.
Ryder inhales once and straightens.
Zane rubs the back of his neck.
Aurora’s eyes narrow. “Why are you all up here? And why is Finn leaning like he’s about to deliver a monologue?”
Rude.
“We were closing,” Zane says gently.
“And?” she presses.
Ryder steps forward. “We were talking about you.”
She blinks. “I need everyone to stop doing that without me present.”
“Fair,” I say.
She looks between us. “Okay. Should I be bracing?”
Zane answers first. “No.”
Ryder answers second. “Yes.”
I grin. “Mixed messaging. Great start.”
Aurora exhales slowly. “What is this?”
“You don’t plan to stay,” Ryder says.
“I… I told you that,” she says carefully. “I’m not… settling. I’ve already been here longer than I planned.”
Zane nods. “We know.”
“And that doesn’t change how we feel,” I add.
Her gaze flicks to me.
Then to Ryder.
Then to Zane.
“You had a meeting,” she says faintly.
“Yes,” I reply. “Very official. No snacks.”
She presses her lips together.
Ryder continues. “If this is something we pursue, it’s not temporary in intention. Even if it ends.”
