Chapter Twenty Two: June

One Month In

Chris burst into my cabin, breathless and wide-eyed. “You’re here.”

I glanced up from my laptop, the soft glow catching the angles of his face. He was dressed in his usual crisp button-down, sleeves rolled to his elbows like he was perpetually on the brink of action. He looked good—annoyingly so. The kind of “good” that made heads turn and hearts race.

“What’s with the grand entrance?” I asked dryly, masking how his sudden presence threw me off balance.

He smirked, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Didn’t think you’d be in so early. Thought you’d be dodging me again.”

I frowned. “Dodging you? Why would I bother?”

He leaned against my desk, casually invading my space. “I texted you. Three times.”

“I’ve been busy.” I gestured at the endless spreadsheets on my screen. “Not everyone has time for pointless conversations.”