Chapter 4: Walls Up
Jerry threw himself into the design, determined to keep his distance from Roxie. He worked late nights, pouring over blueprints and sketches, making sure every detail was perfect.
Roxie tried to reach out, to ask for his input or share her ideas, but Jerry shut her down. He was polite but firm, his walls up and impenetrable.
Luna noticed the tension and tried to mediate, but Jerry just shrugged her off. "I'm just focused on the design, Lu. Don't mind me."
Roxie, however, was not so easily deterred. She saw something in Jerry, something beneath the surface, and she was determined to reach it.
One night, as they worked late, Roxie approached Jerry's desk, her eyes shining with creativity. "Jerry, I have an idea for the exterior. Can I show you?"
Jerry's instincts screamed at him to say no, to push her away, but something about Roxie's enthusiasm was hard to resist. "Fine," he growled, not looking up.
Roxie hesitated, then placed her sketchbook on his desk. Jerry's eyes widened as he saw her design - a beautiful, curved facade that seemed to dance in the light.
For a moment, Jerry forgot to breathe. Forgot to push her away. Forgot everything except the beauty of Roxie's creation.
But then his defenses kicked in, and he snapped back to reality. "It's okay," he said gruffly, handing her the sketchbook. "But let's stick to the original plan."
Roxie's face fell, but she nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "Okay, Jerry."