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Chapter 74: Something

last update Last Updated: 2025-03-08 22:54:48

After dinner, the gallery quieted down to a comfortable hush. The takeout containers from leftovers were on the desk, and Alicia was scrolling through her phone, most likely reading the emails she'd put off eating. Mike settled back into his chair, his eyes straying in my direction every so often but not speaking much.

Abby had already caught on.

She always caught on.

"You're working late again?" she asked, putting on her coat.

I shrugged. "Might as well. Got some things to wrap up."

She looked at me knowingly but didn't push. "Alright. Don't burn yourself out."

Alicia yawned, stretching her arms above her head before standing. "I should get going, too. Text if you need anything."

"Will do."

One by one, they left, their goodbyes soft in the quiet space. The gallery always felt different at night—still, untouched, like it existed in its own pocket of time.

Mike hadn’t left yet.

He was still in his chair, watching me. Not in an expectant way, not like he was waiting for me to say someth
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