“Rocco, did you lead last night’s virtual meeting while on Avery? Your voice even changed; was it that good?”
Rocco chuckled, giving his colleague a playful nudge, a smug grin spreading across his face.
“Don’t make things up. But, yeah, the feeling without it is incredible.”
Those words crushed me. My chest tightened as my heart crumbled to ash.
Later, with trembling hands, I reached out to my team in the future world.
“I want to go back.”
A familiar voice answered, calm and reassuring.
“Understood. The time-travel ship will await you at the base of Liora Cliff.”
“The scheduled departure is in five days.”
…
Rocco slid his hand beneath Avery’s shirt, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
“Cold hands? Let me take care of that.”
The office heating had been unreliable for days, leaving most of the staff clinging to their hot water bottles. Yet, Rocco seemed to have his own solution, which earned him more than a few envious glances.
“Lucky guy. I wish I had someone to warm my hands like that.”
Avery Conti let out a startled giggle, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she perched comfortably on his lap. She tilted her head back, surrendering to his touch, clearly reveling in the moment.