Mira showed up to work early the next morning, nerves coiled tightly in her chest. She'd practiced her apology in the mirror, rehearsed every possible response Noah might throw her way. But nothing could prepare her for the smug look on his face when he walked into the conference room.
He leaned casually against the edge of the table, arms folded. "Didn't think you'd show."
Mira straightened her blazer. "I'm here because I'm a professional. Regardless of what happened, I want this project to succeed."
"Hmm," he said, pretending to think. "That's good to hear. Because I have a few ideas."
He sauntered over to the projection screen and started pulling up design mockups she hadn't seen before.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I took the liberty of reworking some things last night. Thought it might help us get on the same page."
Mira blinked at the screen. His suggestions were... solid. Annoyingly so. It frustrated her that she liked them.
"I suppose they're not terrible," she said.
He grinned. "Is that your version of a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it."
The rest of the meeting passed without incident, and for the first time since their accidental reunion, there was an almost comfortable rhythm between them. Tense, yes—but not as volatile as before. When the presentation ended, he lingered by her side, looking unusually thoughtful.
"I wasn't trying to ruin your work, Mira. That day at the office—I genuinely didn't know what I was walking into."
She looked at him, surprised. "You're apologizing?"
He chuckled. "Don't get used to it."
They stood close. Too close. His scent wrapped around her like heat, something dark and expensive. And just when she thought the tension might snap, her phone buzzed—her mother.
"Hello?"
Her expression changed almost immediately. She turned away, voice trembling. "What do you mean the house was broken into?"
Noah stiffened, all amusement gone. "What happened?"
She ended the call and met his eyes. "Someone broke into my mother's home back in Nigeria. She's okay, but... I think I need to go back."
Noah didn't hesitate. "I'll come with you."
She blinked. "Why would you—?"
"Because you're not alone in this. And I owe you more than just an apology."
Mira couldn't tell what shocked her more: the fact that he offered, or the part of her that wanted him to come.
And in that moment, with a plane ticket looming and emotions spiraling, the line between enemies and something more began to blur.