The meeting ended without ceremony.
Arianne gathered her documents, her movements even, unhurried. Board members filed out, their conversations resuming in low voices. No one lingered. No one pressed for her opinion again.
Lucas's reminder had drawn a line across the table. They would not cross it. Not yet.
She stepped into the corridor and paused.
Gio was already there.
He stood a short distance away, tablet in hand. The moment he noticed her, he straightened and strode toward her, falling into step without needing to adjust.
"Your schedule has shifted," he said, voice low. "Three follow-up requests. I filtered two."
Arianne nodded. "Thanks."
They walked side by side, their strides naturally aligned. No explanation needed. No question of how he knew where to be. He was simply there.
Behind them, someone called her name.
"Ms. Summers."
Arianne stopped. Gio turned with her, positioning himself half a step closer.
