Noah leaned back in his chair at the café, stirring his coffee absentmindedly as he watched Liam scan the agenda for their next meeting. The late afternoon sun poured through the window, casting a soft glow on Liam's face. His focus was absolute, his brow furrowed in concentration as he jotted down notes in his neat, precise handwriting.

"So serious," Noah teased, breaking the silence. "You know, most people take a break after a big win like today."

Liam didn't look up. "Preparation prevents failure," he replied, his tone brisk but not unkind.

Noah smirked. "You're a walking motivational poster, Parker. Do you ever let yourself just...exist?"

Liam finally glanced up, his sharp gaze meeting Noah's. "Not everyone has your talent for winging it," he said, though there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

It was moments like this that Noah found himself lingering on more than he should. That smile—rare and fleeting—felt like a reward, like something earned. He shifted in his seat, suddenly too aware of the energy in the air between them.

"Do we have anything planned for the rest of the day?" Noah asked, his tone deliberately casual.

"No," Liam replied, his voice as measured as always. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't prepare for tomorrow. We've got a site visit."

"Tell you what," Noah said, leaning forward with a grin that felt almost too easy. "Tonight, no business talk. Just us. I'll find something fun, something that doesn't involve spreadsheets or suits. Deal?"

Liam's pen paused mid-word, and he gave Noah a wary look. "Fun?"

"Yes, fun," Noah said, rolling his eyes for dramatic effect. "You know, that thing normal people do when they're not working. Don't worry—I'll make sure it's tame enough for you."

Liam hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line as if weighing the suggestion against his internal list of priorities. "I don't know..."

"Oh, come on, Liam," Noah pressed, his grin widening. "Think of it as team building. I promise, nothing that'll get us into trouble—well, not too much trouble."

For a moment, Liam said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh that almost sounded like reluctant amusement, he nodded. "Fine. But don't make me regret this."

Noah couldn't help but feel a rush of triumph as Liam finally agreed. It wasn't that he hadn't expected Liam to say yes, but the fact that he had—despite his usual reluctance—made Noah's chest tighten in a way he wasn't entirely comfortable with. He quickly pushed the thought aside. He was just playing around, right? It was no big deal.

Noah's grin softened into something more genuine. "You won't," he said confidently, already brainstorming what the night could hold.

As they continued sipping their coffee and tea, Noah found his mind drifting more than it should. He had been trying to figure out the why behind his growing desire to spend time with Liam. It wasn't like him to seek out solitude with someone. His usual flirty, performative charm was always a shield, something to deflect attention or keep things light. But lately, those playful moments with Liam felt different, more loaded, more real.

Noah found himself hoping, maybe a little too much, that tonight would go well—that maybe it would be different from all the other times he'd tried to connect with someone, different from the usual flirtations he'd perfected over the years. He was starting to feel that pull toward Liam more acutely, and it was both thrilling and terrifying. The worst part? He wasn't sure why it mattered this time.