Lina
The problem with seeing Victor again was that it rearranged her thoughts.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to make everything else feel slightly out of place.
The next morning Lina sits at her desk staring at the same line on her laptop for almost three minutes before realizing she hasn't typed a single word.
Outside the office windows, the city hums with its usual rhythm. Phones ring. Keyboards click. Conversations rise and fall around her.
Normally that noise helps her focus.
Today it doesn't.
Her mind keeps drifting back to the previous night.
Victor standing in her doorway.
The way his voice dropped when he said her name.
The way he looked at her like distance hadn't changed anything.
Lina exhales quietly and rubs her forehead.
Focus.
A shadow falls across her desk.
"You've been staring at that screen like it personally offended you."
Lina looks up.
Daniel.
He's leaning lightly against the edge of her desk, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, his usual relaxed smile sitting comfortably on his face.
"Morning," he says.
"Morning."
Daniel studies her for a moment longer than usual.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Lina gives him a small look.
"That's a very bold diagnosis."
"I'm serious," he says gently. "Something's off."
For a second she considers brushing it off with a joke.
But Daniel's expression is calm, patient.
Not intrusive.
Just… observant.
"If you want to talk about it," he adds casually, "I'm a pretty good listener."
Lina shakes her head softly.
"No."
"Okay."
He doesn't push.
That's one thing she likes about him.
Daniel respects boundaries without making them feel awkward.
He straightens slightly.
"Well," he says, "in that case… how about lunch?"
She blinks.
"Lunch?"
"Yeah."
He shrugs lightly.
"There's a place two blocks away that makes dangerously good pasta."
Lina studies him for a moment.
"Are you bribing me with food?"
"Absolutely."
A small smile escapes her.
"Fine."
"Great."
Daniel pushes away from the desk.
"We leave at one."
The restaurant is small and warm, tucked between two busy streets.
Sunlight spills through the windows and the air smells like garlic and roasted tomatoes.
Lina didn't realize how hungry she was until the food arrives.
Daniel watches her take the first bite.
"See?" he says. "Worth it."
She laughs softly.
"You were right."
"Don't sound so surprised."
Conversation flows easily between them.
Work stories.
Random observations about the city.
Daniel has a way of making even simple things sound entertaining.
At one point Lina catches herself laughing harder than she has all week.
Daniel notices.
"There it is."
"What?"
"That smile."
She raises an eyebrow.
"You sound very proud of yourself."
"I am."
He leans back slightly in his chair.
"You looked like you needed a break today."
Lina glances down at her plate.
"Maybe I did."
After lunch they walk slowly back toward the office.
Halfway there Daniel stops suddenly.
"What?"
"I just remembered something."
"That sounds dangerous."
"I left a file at home that I actually need tonight."
Lina raises an eyebrow.
"And?"
"And my place is five minutes away."
She looks at him.
"You're inviting me over?"
"Only if you're not busy."
She hesitates briefly.
Then shrugs.
"Sure."
Daniel's apartment sits inside a modern glass building overlooking the river.
When they step inside, Lina immediately notices the space.
It's unmistakably a bachelor's place.
Clean.
Minimal.
But comfortable.
Dark wood floors stretch across the open living area. A large gray couch sits in front of a sleek glass table, and the wall behind it is covered by floor-to-ceiling windows showing the city skyline.
"Wow," Lina says quietly.
Daniel drops his keys on the counter.
"Too much?"
"No."
She turns slowly, taking everything in.
"It's… nice."
Daniel smiles slightly.
"Translation: surprisingly organized for a man."
"I didn't say that."
"You were thinking it."
He gestures toward the hallway.
"I'm going to grab that file and change out of this shirt."
"Take your time."
"The bathroom's right there if you need it."
"Thanks."
Daniel disappears into the bedroom.
Lina walks toward the bathroom, glancing at the artwork on the walls as she passes.
Simple photography prints.
Black and white city scenes.
Inside the bathroom she splashes cool water on her face and studies herself briefly in the mirror.
"You're fine," she murmurs quietly.
Just lunch.
Just a coworker.
Nothing complicated.
When she opens the bathroom door and steps back into the hallway
She stops.
Daniel is standing near the kitchen counter.
Without his shirt.
He's holding a glass of water, clearly in the middle of drinking it.
For one frozen second Lina forgets how to move.
Because Daniel Carter apparently looks even better without a shirt.
Broad shoulders.
Defined chest.
Lean muscles that move naturally when he shifts his weight.
Not exaggerated.
Just… strong.
Effortless.
Daniel lowers the glass slowly.
"Oh—sorry," he says casually.
"I forgot you were out here."
Lina blinks.
"It's… fine."
Her brain finally restarts.
"Very fine," she almost says aloud.
Daniel doesn't seem particularly aware of the effect he's having.
He grabs a clean shirt from the counter.
"Give me two seconds."
Lina nods quickly and walks past him toward the living room before her thoughts betray her completely.
She sits down on the couch.
From there she can see the river outside the windows.
The city stretching endlessly beyond it.
Her heart is still beating slightly faster than normal.
Daniel appears a moment later wearing a simple dark t-shirt.
"Sorry about that," he says, sitting in the chair across from her.
"You're apologizing for having a torso?"
He laughs.
"Fair point."
He reaches for the folder sitting on the table.
"Here's the file I needed."
"Crisis avoided."
"Exactly."
For a moment neither of them speaks.
The quiet isn't awkward.
Just… thoughtful.
Daniel studies her briefly.
"You look more relaxed."
"I am."
"Good."
He leans back slightly.
"Ready to go finish that project?"
Lina nods.
But as they stand to leave, one thought drifts quietly through her mind.
Daniel Carter is easy to be around.
Comfortable.
Warm.
The kind of man who makes things simple.
And somehow that simplicity feels strangely dangerous.
Because somewhere in the back of her mind…
Victor Hale still exists.
And nothing about him has ever been simple.