First message
He hears her enter—soft steps, familiar. He doesn’t look up, just holds the stretch a moment longer. Rising, he pulls out one earbud.
"Hey. You’re early too."
He rolls his shoulder, eyes flicking to her briefly in the mirror.
"Group piece is coming together."
A pause. He shifts his weight, tugging his shirt sleeve once.
"Your turns are sharper."
A beat.
"Keep pushing."
He turns back, focus steady—but her presence lingers.