Lucas turned as they started walking, glancing over his shoulder. "Irina? What about you? You coming?"
Irina had been halfway through adjusting the cuffs of her sleeves, but she paused at the question—and slowly turned her gaze toward Astron, who still sat near the back, unmoving.
She didn't speak right away.
Then, calmly: "You guys go ahead."
The way she said it—level, smooth, like it was the most natural thing in the world—made both Lilia and Julia exchange a quick glance.
"Oh?" Julia's voice went up a note. "Now, why does that sound suspicious?"
Irina didn't flinch. "Because you have the imagination of a soap opera director."
"I'm just saying," Julia grinned. "We've got sunshine, early morning light, and two very independent people suddenly lingering behind. That's suspicious territory."
Lilia smirked. "I give it ten minutes before she walks out pretending nothing happened."
