Chapter 49 Distance Apart (2)

• It was three in the afternoon when I found myself among a group of coworkers, engaging in our usual daily banter. "What do you think about going out to eat after work?" I asked with a lightness I didn't feel, masking the tension that had been building up inside me.
• Their reactions were mixed, a blend of enthusiasm and caution. Sana, ever the voice of concern, chimed in, "Sure? Is Mr. Sullivan going to get mad at us?" I nodded in affirmation, trying to convey a sense of normalcy despite the underlying strain.
• We agreed to meet outside the company after work, a plan that seemed to bring a collective relief, except for Jackson, whose gaze lingered on me with an unreadable expression.