Ben nudged my office door shut with the heel of his shoe.

Rye lifted his head from the soft cushion in the corner, then settled back down again. Outside, the usual hum of TKD rolled on - rapid‑fire keyboard taps, someone's laugh echoing down the corridor. Inside the room, Ben kept his hands resting lightly at my waist, careful, like every wall might hold a hidden listener.

"Just two minutes," he murmured.

"We don't get two," I whispered back.

Not here where his family might have eyes. Even mine...I don't trust my mom not to plant a spy here.

"Just one second" he muffled as he lowered his neck to...