Jay opened the door and the air changed.
Roman stood there in the hallway, suit still sharp from the day, shoulders squared like he owned the building. But something was off. Jay saw it instantly the slight tightness at the corner of Roman's mouth, the way his eyes didn't quite soften when they met Jay's. No smile. No casual "hey." Just Roman, larger than the doorway, carrying whatever storm had followed him here.
Jay didn't say hello. He stepped back once, letting Roman walk in without being asked. The door clicked shut behind them, and the apartment suddenly felt smaller. The faint music Jay had been playing cut off mid-beat when he tapped his phone. Silence settled thick between them.
Roman crossed to the kitchen counter and set something down. A folded sheet of paper. He didn't open it. Didn't speak right away. Just stood there, one hand resting lightly on the edge of the counter, watching Jay.
