It was a little past 1 p.m., and the sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. The balcony of the *Circe* café had emptied out, leaving Don and Miss Claire as the last patrons.
The two sat quietly, their conversation winding down as they both finished their coffee. The glass table between them reflected the light, adding a soft shimmer to the scene.
Miss Claire glanced at her elegant wristwatch, her fingers brushing over the delicate band. "We should be heading back now," she said smoothly, her eyes flicking up to Don. "If you still wish to take part in the evaluation, that is. Or…" she paused, a thoughtful smile appearing on her lips, "are you perhaps thinking of declaring for another institution? I don't doubt you'll receive many lucrative offers this week if you wait—offers from all over the nation."
