The clock struck noon before Dario and Veronica could finally pause from their intensive research session. Both had been hunched over documents and laptops for hours, completely absorbed in analyzing the complex data that filled Malcolm's study.
Veronica stretched her stiff shoulders when her phone buzzed with an incoming message. The notification showed Whitney's name, and she opened it to find an invitation to go skiing that afternoon.
Without hesitation, Veronica recorded a quick voice message in response. "I'm tied up with work today, so I'll have to pass. Go have a blast without me."
Whitney's reply came through almost immediately. "Too bad, but alright then."
The afternoon flew by in a blur of calculations and theories. As evening shadows began creeping across the study windows, Veronica decided to take a break and fetch some water from the kitchen. The moment she stepped out, her phone chimed again with multiple notifications from Whitney.
This batch of messages contained several photographs from the ski slopes. Veronica's stomach tightened as she recognized the familiar faces captured in the images. Cullen stood prominently in the center of the group, flanked by Niall, Sabrina, Marco, and Cecelia. Their smiles looked forced and artificial under the harsh mountain sunlight.
Another message from Whitney popped up immediately after. "We were having such an amazing time on the slopes until we bumped into this crowd. Talk about killing the vibe completely!"
Veronica glanced at only the first photograph, just long enough to confirm her suspicions about the identities of the people involved. She deliberately avoided examining the remaining images, knowing they would only stir up emotions she preferred to keep buried.
Instead of dwelling on the uncomfortable discovery, she sent back a composed voice message to her friend. "Don't let them get under your skin. Focus on enjoying your day out there."
Whitney's enthusiasm returned in her next voice note. "We're thinking about staying up here until pretty late tonight. Any chance you might change your mind and join us?"
Veronica didn't hesitate with her response. "Thanks, but I really can't. I'm swamped here."
"Understood. Catch you later then."
She slipped her phone back into her pocket, filled her water glass, and returned to the study where Dario was still buried in his work. They continued their research marathon well into the evening hours.
As darkness settled over the campus, Dario finally leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. "Professor Blair, what do you say we call it a day and grab some dinner? Veronica and I would love to treat you to a good meal after all this hard work."
Malcolm barely glanced up from his computer screen before delivering his flat response. "I already have dinner plans tonight."
Both Dario and Veronica looked up in surprise. Malcolm rarely made social plans, especially on weekdays.
"I'm meeting Cullen for dinner tonight," he added matter-of-factly.
Dario shot a quick glance toward Veronica, expecting some kind of reaction to this announcement. Instead, she simply took a measured sip of her water and maintained her neutral expression, giving nothing away.
Malcolm pushed back from his desk and reached for his car keys. "Remember to lock everything up properly before you head out." He paused at the doorway and turned back toward them. "I shouldn't be gone too long though."
"Sure thing, professor," Dario replied, still watching Veronica carefully for any sign of distress.
Across town at the ski resort, the group was finally winding down after spending most of the day on the slopes. The fresh mountain air and physical activity had left everyone in remarkably good spirits, despite the earlier tension Whitney had mentioned in her messages.
As they made their way toward the parking area, Sabrina practically bounced alongside Cullen, her cheeks still flushed from the cold mountain air. "Dad, I'm absolutely craving seafood for dinner tonight. Can we go to that place with the amazing lobster?"
Cullen's expression shifted slightly as he prepared to deliver disappointing news. "Actually sweetheart, Niall and I have some important business to take care of this evening, so we won't be able to have dinner with you. Don't worry though - I've already arranged for the driver to pick you up. When you get home, just let the chef know exactly what you're in the mood for."
The excitement drained from Sabrina's face instantly, replaced by obvious disappointment. "What kind of business? Why can't I come along too?"
Cullen reached out and affectionately pinched her cheek, trying to soften the blow with a warm smile. "It's something really significant that we need to handle privately."
Sabrina's lower lip pushed out in a pout as she turned toward Niall, wrapping her arms around the older woman in an attempt to change their minds. "Niall, please..."
Niall felt her heart flutter at Cullen's description of their plans as significant business concerning her. The implications made her feel giddy with anticipation and hope for what the evening might bring.
She bent down to Sabrina's level and returned the embrace, speaking in the most gentle and understanding tone she could manage. "This is something really crucial for my future, Sa. I've been waiting for an opportunity for such a long time, and I can't afford to have any complications or distractions. I hope you can understand why this matters so much to me."
Despite her obvious disappointment, Sabrina managed a reluctant nod. "Fine, but you definitely owe me something special next week. I want to go somewhere really fancy for dinner."
"Absolutely," Niall agreed with genuine warmth, then lifted her gaze to meet Cullen's eyes meaningfully.
Throughout this entire exchange, Marco remained completely silent, observing the family dynamics with an unreadable expression.
Cecelia stepped closer to Sabrina and gently took her hand. "Hey, if everything works out well, maybe we can all plan a really nice group dinner sometime next week."
The friendship that had developed between Sabrina and Cecelia over their recent outings had become quite genuine, and Sabrina's mood lifted slightly at this suggestion.
"That sounds good," Sabrina agreed, managing a small smile despite her earlier disappointment about being excluded from the evening's plans.