In the hallway, dusk was falling.
A warm, golden light filled every corner, making the entire atmosphere feel tender and amorous.
As Sylvie Lockwood approached, Ryder Sharp was already on his feet. His gaze fell to her hand. "Your hand is hurt."
"Yeah."
Besides wearing boxing gloves, many people also wrap their hands with bandages or hand wraps to protect their joints and avoid injury.
A professional fighter like Ryder Sharp would use them for competitions, but for regular training where he controlled his strength, he didn't bother with them much.
But Sylvie Lockwood was a woman who hadn't trained much recently. Her slender wrists and fragile knuckles were more susceptible to injury from a sudden exertion of force.
Some things an outsider wouldn't notice, but Ryder Sharp had sensed it when he held her hand earlier.
"I got you an ice pack."
The towel Ryder Sharp was holding was wrapped around an ice pack.
"Thanks."
