Taste Me Like It's Our Last Day On Earth
Some old, familiar instinct rising the second her guard drops even slightly, and I catch myself before I act on it, the way I always do lately, the way that's starting to feel less like restraint and more like a losing argument with my own hands.
I straighten instead, putting distance back where it belongs.
"I need that call," I say, and walk away before either of us tests how thin that distance actually is.
***
Octavia's in her office when I get there, tablet in hand, composed as ever. I don't bother with pleasantries.
"The Ashford file corrupted twice this morning. Same pattern, both copies, ninety seconds apart."
She doesn't flinch. "That's unfortunate."
"That's not an answer."