Chapter 8
The Fire Door Test
The fire door jammed with Nora and Theo on the wrong side of it.
Cal's evacuation test continued beyond the metal panel. Feet hammered down the balcony stairs while Nora pushed the bar and gained half an inch.
"Stop," Theo said. "The frame is twisting."
The service corridor was narrow enough that stepping back put her against him. His hand closed around her elbow, then loosened while he waited for permission.
"You can hold on," she said.
"For safety?"
"Do not ruin it."
He laughed near her ear. The sound changed the temperature of the corridor.
They used a fallen chair leg as leverage. The door moved another inch, then locked. Nora turned. Theo did not step away because there was nowhere to go.
"Ben seems decent," he said.
"He is."
"Will you see him again?"
"Are you asking as my architect?"
"I resigned."
"Then ask properly."
His fingers shifted from her elbow to her wrist. The contact was deliberate now.
"Will you?"
Nora looked at his mouth and understood she had spent years confusing being wanted with being assigned a role. Theo was waiting. That mattered.
She leaned closer.
The door burst open under Cal's shoulder. Priya, three volunteers, and a council inspector stared at them.
Someone at the back held up a phone.
By the time Nora reached the lobby, the image of Theo's hand on her wrist had already been posted with the caption: SAVE THE LANTERN - OR DATE THE MAN BUYING IT?