OTTE'

heard footsteps in the hallway. It was heavy, deliberate...

ou don't

on the doorway like he wasn't sure if he was allowed in, his hands buried in h

e dropped into still water.

things like this b

and I m

es me," I replied

inside, fro

. "Because it's always easier to say

et me p

ow

decided. "Tomorrow night. Just the two of us. No int

we live in the same house. If you wanted

door," he said. "This is

one dinner fi

now. "I'm not asking you to forget the last few mon

as playing with me, the slight curve of his mouth when he was saying wha

ht," I r

rs eased. "

after

ng, one step

w. "You make it

admitted. "Bu

formance," I warned remem

e, but softer this time. "Charlotte... I'm t

ou weren't the one w

d, quiet but fir

rprised me more t

said finally.

ick, almost boy

ed in the doorway. "Thank you.

dn't given up... or if I was just wait

leep much

ke the distance between us wasn't just uncomfortable anymore, it was

rifted off, it w

*************

chen, humming under her breath, and helping Petra move vases of fresh flowers i

ning boxes, some wrapped i

ged and unfamiliar, but before I could make ou

uctions," she said

closed, his phone on speaker. His voice, when it

enti

once, when I passed by, his tone shifted mid-s

in the hallway, he as

" I re

be ready

would, d

a small nod bef

wanted to cancel, to say it was too soon. Bu

I went into the private library and sat

my room to start getting ready fo

ed ch

what was on the bed

ue, silk that shimmered faintly when I touched i

ton

, a single

nt before picking it up. I ha

nd just applied

n, there was a

asked when

out formality. His eyes lingered on me, not in the cold, apprai

ped, shook his head s

," I w

though the corner of h

music, the faint scent of rosemary and garlic. Two

k or obligations, but about the small, almost inconsequential things, movie

e silence felt heavier than it should have. But it wasn't strained. Once, I noticed him gl

r my hand halfway thro

me into the living room. The fire crackl

n in a long time. I caught him watching me not just loo

asked, hal

"Just... reminding myself

something in his tone was wou

what he meant. I w

just sipp

for my hand again,

t

the chimney. Then his phone, facedo

saw the faint twitch in his jaw, the way

, and he smiled a

t was n

t, even on nights like this, the