CHAPTER 2: BOUNDARIES

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Chapter 2: Boundaries

The campus café buzzed softly with mid-morning chatter. Calvin and Daisy sat near the window, laptops open, notebooks spread out, coffee cooling between them. They were supposed to be observing social dynamics for their project. Instead, they watched the world through the glass, saying little.

Calvin broke the silence first. "See that couple?" He nodded toward a table by the counter.

Daisy glanced over. A guy leaned in close, talking fast with animated hands, while the girl sat back, arms crossed, her smile tight. "He's nervous. She's already made up her mind."

Calvin gave a low chuckle. "You're sharp."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're surprised?"

"No," he said honestly. "Just impressed."

Daisy tapped her pen against her notebook. "I don't do flattery."

"Good," he said, his tone steady. "I don't give it."

Their eyes met again—briefly. There was tension in it, not quite attraction, not quite resistance. Just... something.

After a pause, Daisy shifted the focus. "We should schedule our three case studies."

"Agreed," Calvin said. "One this week, one next. Presentation in four weeks?"

"Works." She wrote it down, efficient as always. "Let's be clear, though. I'm not looking for distractions."

He smiled. "I didn't think I was one."

She looked at him then—really looked. Calm eyes, confident posture, voice like quiet water. A part of her almost believed he wasn't. But she'd learned long ago that belief could be dangerous.

"I've seen how this goes," she said, more to herself than to him.

Calvin leaned back in his chair, gaze thoughtful. "Then maybe let it go differently this time."

Daisy didn't answer. She just turned back to her notes, but her fingers trembled slightly as she held the pen.

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