Page 41 of The Prime-Time Experiment

“Well, it’s rare to be in the midst of other celebrities.” Tyler added. “Because you’re both apparently famous now.”

Declan exhaled. “Don’t start.”

“I’m not starting anything,” Tyler said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Mum called me in the car. Told me to check your comments.”

Declan frowned. “Why?”

Tyler turned the screen toward him. “Because you offering her your shirt has sent people into a full spiral.”

Riley’s attention shifted. “Why? It was a practical solution.”

Tyler looked between them, then laughed under his breath. “Yeah. See, that’s exactly the problem.”

Declan took the phone, scanning it briefly. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You’re trending,” Tyler said lightly. “Apparently you two are the only people capable of breaking the internet without realising it.”

“It’s a training series,” Declan replied flatly.

“Mhmm,” Tyler said. “Very professional, nothing for people to misinterpret at all.”

Before Declan could respond, Tyler stepped slightly to the side, like he’d just remembered something. “Hey, Ebony,” he said, glancing behind him. “You coming in or what?”

Riley’s attention shifted automatically. A girl stepped into the doorway. She looked to be around eight years old. There was enough of Tyler in her features to suggest a family resemblance, though it wasn’t especially strong. Lighter hair, narrower frame. Different mannerisms entirely.

Unlike Tyler, Ebony didn’t see the need to fill the room. She paused just inside the doorway, her attention moving methodically across the space before settling on the people inside it. Declan’s expression softened immediately.

“Ebony,” he said. “This is Riley.”

Ebony looked at her. “Hi.”

“Hello.”

The silence that followed settled comfortably between them. Neither seemed inclined to rush through it, and after a moment Riley realised Ebony wasn’t treating it as something that needed correcting. Tyler looked between them.

“Okay, this is already weird.”

Declan ignored him. “Give it a second.”

Riley tilted her head slightly, studying Ebony. “You like to look first.”

Ebony blinked once before nodding. “I don’t like missing things,” she admitted.

“That would create unnecessary adjustments.” Something eased in Ebony’s posture at the response.

Tyler made a confused sound. “I need a translator.”

The corner of Ebony’s mouth twitched.

Declan watched the exchange for another second, something thoughtful passing briefly across his expression before he exhaled and jerked his head toward the hallway.

“Come here a second.”

Tyler looked immediately suspicious. “Why?”

“Because I’m asking.”

“That’s not a reason.”