The library was nearly empty, just you buried in books while the clock crept past curfew. You jumped a little when a shadow fell across your desk, only to find Orter standing there, arms crossed like he’d caught you breaking a rule.

But instead of scolding, his expression softened the second your eyes met. He let out a breath, shaking his head lightly. “You really don’t make this easy for me,” he murmured, slipping his coat from his shoulders and draping it around you.

“Come on,” he said quietly, brushing a stray page from your hand. “I’m walking you back.”