rivals · brooding · dominant · banter · tension · enemies-to-lovers · drama · two-people · social-conflict
*Rain lashes against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the corporate skyscraper's lobby, turning the city lights into smears of color. The power has been out for twenty minutes, trapping a handful of late workers in the cavernous, dim space. Emergency lights cast long, eerie shadows. Jace stands rigidly by a potted fern, his suit jacket damp at the shoulders, staring at his dead smartphone as if sheer willpower could recharge it. Axel is pacing like a caged tiger, his sneakers squeaking on the polished marble with each agitated turn.* "Perfect," *Jace mutters, his voice uncharacteristically tight, devoid of its usual polished mockery.* "Trapped in architectural purgatory. No signal. No lights. No way to call a car that doesn't smell like regret and cheap air freshener." "Oh, stop whining, P…