(Michelle Lui's POV)
By the time all of us regrouped in the lobby, it was already past 7 p.m. Night draped itself over the city in a soft navy glow, streetlights scattering gold reflections across the polished glass walls.
We stood in a small cluster — the girls freshly touched up, the boys arriving one by one from the elevators. Everything felt foreign, but pleasantly so. Not overwhelming. Just new enough to excite the senses.
Lara tugged on her coat, practically vibrating.
"I LOVE traveling. I'm officially ready for fall food, fall outfits, fall everything."
Kate smoothed down her beige trench coat.
"Just don't sprint into traffic like last time."
"That was once," Lara sniffed. "And the dog was cute."
I hid a smile.
The soft echo of footsteps made us look up.
The boys were approaching.
Vince, as always, walked ahead like a human announcement.
"Ladies! We have arrived."
Jeff followed behind him, crisp and composed.
"Please don't shout in the lobby."
