I woke up to the realization that someone's leg was draped over mine.My eyes opened slowly. Clara was still curled on the other end of the couch, but at some point during the night, we'd migrated toward each other. Her thigh pressed hard against my hip, her hand tucked under her cheek, tousled hair spilling over her face and begging to be brushed aside.She looked peaceful. Also dangerously close.Don't make it weird, I told myself. Don't—She murmured in her sleep, arching just enough to grind closer, her warmth flooding me. That damn hoodie had hiked up higher now, exposing a teasing expanse of pale, flawless skin from her midriff down to the dip of her hip, where the edge of her panties peeked out, black lace, from what I could glimpse.My blood pounded, cock stirring to life as my mind short-circuited, every nerve firing with the urge to trace that line with my fingers... or my tongue.[RSN proximity bonus active][WARNING: Physical contact detected. Sincerity analysis in progress

The knock came at 6:58 PM.I opened the door to a woman who looked like she'd been Photoshopped into reality.Leona Hart was tall, maybe five-ten in heels, with dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, designer blazer over a silk blouse, and had a smile that made you feel like you were being appraised for resale value. She held a tablet in one hand and a latte in the other, somehow making both look like power accessories.Behind her, two crew members hauled camera equipment."Evan Cross?" Her voice was smooth, controlled. The kind of voice that sold luxury cars and political candidates. "Leona Hart, Channel Seven. Thanks for fitting us in.""Yeah, no problem. Come in."She stepped inside and her eyes did a sweep of Jade's apartment in under three seconds. Shabby couch with visible springs. Mismatched mugs drying by the sink. Clara's laptop explosion across the coffee table among cables, drives, and energy drink cans.Her smile didn't falter. If anything, it widened."Cozy," she said in

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and hope running on fumes.I stood in the hallway outside Room 314, holding a bag of convenience store cookies.Clara was on my left, laptop bag slung over her shoulder like she might need to hack the hospital mainframe. Jade was on my right, jaw tight, hands shoved in her pockets.Jade took a breath, knocked once, and pushed the door open.Danny Kwon was propped up in bed, IV in his arm, baseball cap covering what I assumed was thinning hair. But his eyes were bright, and when he saw us, he smiled.That smile looked exactly like Jade's before the weight of the world pressed down on it."So you're the famous delivery guy," Danny said, voice raspy but strong. "Evan, right?""That's me." I stepped forward, suddenly aware of how inadequate I was for this moment. "Brought cookies. They're terrible."He laughed. It turned into a cough.Jade moved instinctively, but he waved her off."I'm good. I'm good." He looked at Clara. "And you must be the hacker."

The restaurant was called Lumière, which I'm pretty sure is French for "you can't afford to be here."I stood on the sidewalk outside, staring at the valet stand, the marble columns, and the door being held open by a guy in a suit nicer than anything I'd ever owned in my life.My phone buzzed. Leona.Leona: Inside. Back table. Don't keep me waiting.I looked down at myself. Jeans. Sneakers. A hoodie that said "I Paused My Game to Be Here" that I'd forgotten I was wearing."Mira, I'm about to walk into a place where the napkins probably cost more than my rent.""Then walk fast and sit down before they throw you out."I made it three steps inside before a hostess materialized like a very polite bouncer."Good evening, sir." Her smile was professional ice. "Do you have a reservation?""I'm meeting someone. Leona Hart?"The smile warmed approximately half a degree. "Ah yes. Ms. Hart mentioned a... guest." The pause before 'guest' did not go unnoticed. "This way, please."She led me throug

I sat next to Clara in a plastic chair that was designed by someone who hated human spines. Jade stood by the door, arms crossed, looking like she was mentally calculating how many cops she could take in a fight. For recreational purposes, obviously.An officer appeared, Detective Morris, according to her badge, holding a folder and the expression of someone who'd heard every stupid story the city had to offer."Ms. Voss?" She sat across from Clara. "Derek Vance has been issued a restraining order. He's barred from contacting you, approaching your residence, or coming within five hundred feet of you. If he violates it, call us immediately."Clara nodded. "Okay.""Don't try to handle it yourself. Don't open the door if he shows up. Don't go outside to talk it out. People always think they can talk it out." Her eyes flicked to me. "You the boyfriend?""I'm the guy who got kicked across her apartment," I said."Right. The hero neighbor." She pulled out another paper. "Mr. Cross, you're l