Bittersweet and Unspoken 2

Ava stood near the doorway, suitcase in hand, her usual composed expression betraying the slightest hesitation. The reality of leaving was settling in, heavier than she had expected. New York was calling—business needed to be handled, deals had to be secured, and the machine she had been carefully constructing for Parker had to keep running.

But damn if she didn't want to leave.

Parker stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching her in that unreadable way of his. It was infuriating sometimes—how he could just stand there without a hint of hesitation while she felt the pull of something she wasn't sure she should even acknowledge.

"You're sure about this? I could help you here for a few days." Ava finally asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Parker nodded. "Yeah. You've got work to do."