CHAPTER 27: After the Bridge

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Chapter 27: After the Bridge

Daisy

Back in her hotel room, Daisy sat on the window ledge watching the city lights. Calvin was in the room next door—close, but not as close as before.

She pressed her fingers to her lips where he had kissed her on the bridge. It hadn't been wild or desperate. It had been quiet.

Too quiet?

When she finally texted him, she kept it simple:

> Can we talk before the conference begins?

His reply came seconds later.

> Meet me in the lounge. Ten minutes.

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Calvin

He waited with two mugs of tea. No coffee tonight. It felt too sharp.

Daisy walked in wearing his hoodie again. He smiled. "Still fits?"

"Still mine," she teased, then sat across from him.

For a long time, neither spoke.

Then Daisy said, "What are we now?"

Calvin sipped his tea, eyes on hers. "Whatever we choose to be. But I don't want us to disappear again. Not into work. Not into silence."

Daisy breathed in. "Neither do I."

He reached across the table, palm open. "Then let's write the next part together. Wherever it takes us."

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Lina & Marcus — A Video Call Away

Back home, Lina held her phone between them as she and Marcus called Daisy.

When Daisy told them what happened, Lina grinned. "So it's official? The us chapter?"

Daisy smiled. "Not official. Intentional."

Marcus laughed. "That's better."

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