A tall man in a dark charcoal coat stepped out of the faculty lounge, holding a glass bottle of sparkling water.

Claire bumped straight into his right shoulder.

“Watch where you’re going,” Daniel said.

He stopped, his fingers tightening around the cold glass bottle.

Claire stepped back against the tiled wall, her shoulder pressing against a metal bulletin board.

Daniel looked down at his wrist.

A heavy silver watch with a dark leather strap gleamed under the hallway lights.

He adjusted the watch face with two fingers, shifting his weight.