The group reached the fork where the road bent just before the village homes came into view.
Jay slowed his steps, eyes on the worn path ahead. His house sat just around the corner, a familiar turn he always made alone.
Mark didn't stop walking—until Jay reached out gently and touched his arm.
He leaned closer, voice a quiet thread between them. "I'll see you tonight… if you're less busy," he said, not quite a question, not quite a promise.
Mark didn't answer right away. He didn't need to. The way his eyes met Jay's—steady, unreadable, but lingering—was answer enough.
Jay gave a half-smile and turned away, hands tucked into his pockets as he disappeared around the bend.
Mark stood there for a second, watching the place where Jay had vanished, before Artur's voice pulled him back.
"Hey, you coming?"
Mark nodded and took a step forward—but then his phone buzzed in his pocket, the vibration low but urgent.
He fished it out and frowned at the name flashing across the screen.
