The limousine purred to a gentle halt at the hotel's private side entrance, away from the main lobby lights and any lingering paparazzi who sometimes hovered near big medical events.
Claudia climbed out ahead of them, rolling her neck from side to side with an audible crack. "Finally," she sighed, stretching her arms overhead until her back popped.
Yvonne laughed softly as she accepted Devon's hand and stepped onto the smooth stone walkway. The night air felt sharp after the recycled coolness of the car—clean, carrying the faint metallic tang of recent rain and the distant aroma of street food from somewhere blocks away.
Devon emerged last, still cradling the trophy under his left arm like it weighed nothing at all. The silver caduceus caught the low light from the entrance lanterns and threw tiny glints across his damp scrubs.
