The city noise hit different than I remembered, but it didn't crush me like I thought it would.
I followed Elise into her office building. The second we stepped through the doors, people started smiling and waving.
"Elise! You're back," a woman at the front desk called out. "And this must be the mysterious Reid."
I gave a short nod. "That's me."
Another guy in a button-up leaned over his cubicle wall. "Good to meet you, man. Elise said you'd be tagging along. Need anything while you're here? Coffee? Wi-Fi password?"
"I'm good," I said. "Thanks."
Everyone was friendly. Easy. No weird stares or careful distance. Elise had warned me they would be like this, but it still felt strange.
Her assistant Janine wasn't around, though. She was out on a site visit. Elise had already been on the phone with her twice before lunch.
I waited until Elise sat down at her desk, then leaned against the doorframe. "I'm gonna walk around the city for a bit."
Elise looked up quickly. "You sure?"
