Lily pressed closer to the glass, palms flat. “She’s perfect,” she whispered. “See? I told you she’d come out.” Caleb smiled. “You were right, bug.” He watched the tiger move, calm and deliberate, and for a moment, the world around them fell still. “Come on,” he said after a while, checking his watch. “You haven’t eaten yet. Let’s grab breakfast before you faint on me.”
“But she just came out!” Lily protested, still glued to the glass. “She’ll still be here after we eat,” he said, nudging her gently toward the path. “Besides, I heard the cafeteria’s got pancakes today.” Her hesitation melted. “Fine. But we come back after, okay?”