Page 39

The pause this time is longer. It shouldn’t matter. It does.

KIERAN

Everyone says that

Contract’s not signed

And even if it was

I switched to MechE for a reason

I actually like the work

Something in my chest shifts. Not softening—recalibrating. The steel-blue steadiness creeps in, quiet and grounding, and I resent how easily it settles.

WREN

Even if I agreed

Which I’m not

What’s in it for me?

KIERAN

Money. Lesspain in 204

Three dots.

My breath holds without my permission.

Then:

KIERAN

And an elective in social engineering

A beat.

KIERAN

Specifically, getting a certain smart guy with glasses to notice you

My stomach drops. Heat rushes my face, sharp and immediate.

I freeze.

Kieran O’Connor does not miss.

WREN

I’m not interested in your help with that

KIERAN

You sure? I can nudge without breaking anything

I glance at Larisa—one leg kicked free of the blanket, her breathing slow and even. She dreams in pink noise. I dream in color. Tonight, bothare too loud.