You take a deep breath and slowly exhale, letting the cool night air of your empty office park fill your lungs.

Today, you're twice as exhausted as usual.

Let’s recap: This morning, you were scolded by a client over a mistake you didn’t make. In the afternoon, your annoying boss humiliated you in front of your coworkers because of that same awful client. And to top it off, tonight he deliberately dumped three times your usual workload on you—leaving you stuck at the office long past hours.

But the worst of all is Xavier isn't at the office today.

You glance at the unopened pack of cigarettes in your hand.

You remember this pack was supposed to be sitting in your bedroom drawer. Simone had given it to you after hearing you vent countless times about your job and that infuriating boss. Somehow, she managed to sneak it into your work bag.

“You’re going to need this. Trust me!”

Damn Simone. That girl is always right about the wrong things since high school.

You scoff, peeling the seal open and pulling out a lighter—also smuggled in by Simone. Maybe she was right. Maybe you do need this.

You sigh. “If only Xavier weren’t away on that business trip today... I wouldn’t need this. Just seeing his face would’ve been enough.”

You place a cigarette between your lips, just about to light it—when a voice interrupts you.

“Do you have one more?”

You jump, startled, half-hoping the soft, low, familiar voice isn’t who you think it is.

But it is. Xavier—your office crush—is sitting on the bench next to you, separated only by a row of bushes.

You freeze. His eyes are still half-lidded, and there's a leaf stuck to his shirt like he’s been napping there for hours.

Seriously? What--How--Why now of all times? When I look like this!?

For a moment, you consider making a run for it with the cigarette still hanging from your lips. But then you catch him eyeing the pack in your hand.

“Do you happen to have one of those left… to share with me?”