Ezra stood near the entryway now, one hand resting against the doorframe, like he’d moved there without interrupting the flow of the room.
Present.
Quiet.
Watching.
“Interviews always matter,” I countered.
“They do.” His voice carried evenly across the space. “But not all of them are created equal.”
I held his gaze.
There was no pressure in it. No expectation.
Just something deliberate.
“You know what you’re doing,” he continued.
I nodded once. “I do.”
“Then go in and do that.” His mouth tipped slightly at the corner. “You don’t need to be anything else.”
Something in my chest shifted.
Small.
But solid.
Ezra pulled the door open, stepping back to give them space.
Lo paused in front of me, pressing a kiss to my temple, her voice low enough that it stayed between us. “You’re ready.”
“I hope so.”
Her smile didn’t waver. “I know so.”
Lucy hovered near the doorway, already slipping her shoes back on. “Text me after you crush it tomorrow.”
“I’m sure I’ll need moral support,” I teased, pulling her into a quick hug.
“You’ll get a full debrief,” she promised, squeezing me once before stepping out.
The door closed behind them.
And just like that?—
the apartment went quiet.
Not empty.
Just still.
I stood there for a moment, not moving, letting it settle.
Bento circled once at my feet, then jumped back onto the couch, turning twice before looking at me like I was late to something important.
A quiet breath slipped out of me. “I’m coming.”