Colton sat behind his desk, loosening his tie after the long meeting. His office smelled faintly of coffee and paper, the kind of scent that followed endless hours of work. He rubbed his forehead and leaned back in his chair. The meeting had been productive but exhausting, and the silence of his office felt like a welcome reprieve.

Just as he reached for a file, his phone buzzed. He frowned when he saw the caller ID his mother. He answered immediately.

“Mother,” he greeted.

“Colton,” came her cheerful tone. “How are you, dear? Busy as always, I imagine.”

Colton pinched the bridge of his nose. “Meetings all morning. I’m still...