As Zack stepped out of the last floor from the elevator, cradling Nia carefully in his arms, his gaze found Jess and Justin waiting for them at the entrance to her penthouse. The soft click of her heels echoed through the quiet corridor as Jess rushed forward, her eyes flitting between Nia's sleeping form and Zack. Concern shadowed her features, but she quickly unlocked the door, pushing it open with a gentle urgency. "Come in, bring her inside," she murmured.
Zack stepped across the threshold, and the warm ambiance of Nia's home enveloped him immediately. The soft glow of dimmed lights, the earthy tones of the décor—everything felt distinctly her. But before he could take in more of the space, a sharp, displeased meow cut through the air. Zack's eyes flicked downward, and there, perched on a nearby armchair, was a cat, his fur bristling in irritation, his green eyes narrowed into a fiery glare aimed directly at him.
Must be Nia's cat, Pixel, Zack thought.
