L A N AI stay where I am for a second longer than necessary after Dante speaks, watching the way Daniella answers him so easily, like this is routine for them, like moments like this happen all the time and they already know their roles without needing to think about it, and I realise I am the only one here who still feels out of place, the only one trying to catch up while everyone else moves forward without hesitation.“Not at all, we were just keeping Lana company,” Daniella says, her tone casual, but her eyes flash to me for a brief second, like she is checking that I am alright without actually asking.“Mm,” Dante answers, and that sound alone tells me he has already moved on in his head to whatever comes next.“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for too long,” he adds, glancing at me now, and I don’t miss the way his expression softens just slightly, like he is making a quiet effort to shift gears when it comes to me.“No, you didn’t...” I answer, and I hear how small my voice so
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