Tuesday morning came easier than Monday not easy, but easier.
The alarm at 6:30 felt less violent, the cold outside less shocking, the return to routine less jarring now that they'd broken through that first day back.
Noel was already awake when Luca opened his eyes, lying there staring at the ceiling.
"You're doing it again," Luca said, voice still rough with sleep.
"What?"
"Thinking too loud."
"I'm not thinking loud."
"Your brain is practically screaming. I can hear it from here."
Noel turned his head, a small smile appearing. "That's not how brains work."
"Mine does." Luca shifted closer, throwing an arm across Noel's chest. "What are you worried about?"
"The export compliance report. Max wants it by end of day, and I'm not sure the tariff classifications are correct."
"It's 6:30 in the morning."
"I know."
"You can't fix tariff classifications from bed."
"I know that too."
