The next morning, the door opened five minutes after the meeting had already started.
Jay didn't look.
She knew.
The shift in the room was too familiar.
Soft footsteps.
A low apology to the assistant.
The quiet pull of a chair.
Keifer.
He looked… different.
Not weaker.
Just worn.
Dark shadows under his eyes.
Shoulders stiff.
Jaw tighter than usual.
He opened his folder without lifting his head.
Jay told herself she wouldn't turn.
She did.
Only once.
Their eyes met.
For a fraction of a second—
Something eased in her chest.
The meeting continued.
Charts. Deadlines. Regional risks.
Keifer spoke less than usual.
But when he did, the room still listened.
When the session finally broke for a short pause, people stood in small clusters.
Jay stayed seated.
So did he.
This time…
She spoke first.
"You look exhausted."
It was simple.
Neutral.
Acceptable.
He glanced at her, surprised.
Just a little.
"Still alive," he said quietly.
That familiar tone.
Dry. Low. Unshowy.
Jay nodded.
"Europe didn't go gently, I assume."
A corner of his mouth lifted.
"You assume correctly."
Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… careful.
Then he looked at her properly.
"You handled the South Port adjustment without me."
She froze for half a second.
"You knew?"
He nodded.
"I read the internal reports last night."
Of course he did.
She hesitated.
Then—
"It was harder," she admitted.
Not emotionally.
Not personally.
Just—
Harder.
His gaze softened in a way he clearly didn't intend.
"I'm sorry."
Jay shook her head immediately.
"No. I didn't mean—"
"I know what you meant."
Their eyes held.
Only a breath longer than professional.
Only a breath too long.
The break ended.
People returned to their seats.
Before Jay turned back to the screen, she said quietly—
"I'm glad you're back."
It slipped out before strategy could catch it.
Not dramatic.
Not vulnerable.
Just honest.
Keifer didn't reply right away.
He looked at his folder.
Then at the screen.
Then back at her.
"So am I."
And somehow…
That was the first sentence between them that had nothing to do with business.