Penny blinked in surprise when Lyra suddenly pulled away from their embrace.
An awkward smile flickered across Lyra's lips as she gently steered Penny toward the door.
"Penny, I'll meet you later," she murmured, a quiet plea glimmering in her eyes before giving one final push and closing the door between them.
For a heartbeat, Penny stood frozen in the hallway, feeling like a dumbstruck fool trying to piece together what had just happened.
Before she could make sense of it, a voice cut through her haze.
"I told you to wait."
She startled, spinning to find Darius leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, the faintest smirk playing at his lips. She must have looked like a startled rabbit, because his smile deepened.
"You're adorable when you're angry, Penny," he teased.
