They had already started eating when Ava finally arrived.
"You finally came, Boss…" Riley greeted her playfully the moment he noticed her approaching the table.
He immediately gestured toward the empty seat beside him with overly polite manners. "Please, join us. Your loyal friends have been starving emotionally without you."
"Emotionally?" Mia repeated, deadpan. "You finished half the grilled meat before she even got here."
"That," Riley replied smoothly, "was stress management."
Ava let out a tired laugh as she approached the table, shaking her head at the two of them.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, her voice carrying exhaustion, though warmth still lingered beneath it.
The moment Ava stepped closer, Sienna looked up immediately.
She could tell at a glance that Ava was exhausted.
