soccer with her younger cousins in the yard. Barefoot and carefree, he moved with the grace of someone who seemed to belong wherever he

ouse was like trying to ignore a thund

arden, where she was trimming

said, leaning casual

up. "I thought we agreed to

nds can still che

ine, t

-streaked jeans and messy bun. "You've go

need something, Andreas? Or

wanted to ask if you'd join me in town this afternoon. I need to

uard by the invitation. "

family keep reminding you about the whole arrang

into a thin line.

softening, "I'd like to get to k

and feeling the pull of his easy charm. Finally, she sighed

and Leila found herself relaxing more than she anticipated. He pointed out landmarks along the way-an old oak tre

er all of this?" s

ou, but we visited often enough. I have

ing into a palette of greens and golds. "I don't kn

y n

ith her family. "It just feels... suffocating sometimes. Like everyone expec

"I get that. My parents are the same way. T

y the hint of vulnerability in

ead. "Sometimes, no matter how far you go, you

ent, they sat in companionable silence, the we

eful for the distraction. They wandered through the market, A

, its skin warm from the sun. "Try

ibbling down her chin. It was sweet and

reas said, his

t didn't argue, too bu

supplies Andreas needed. At one point, he insisted on buy

ds flowers," he sai

ccepted the bouquet, her defenses slip

ila found herself glancing at Andreas out of the corner of her eye, studying the way his ha

about?" she asked befor

is expression unread

nd she quickly turned to look o

"I'm trying to figure you ou

. "What doe

ferent," he said sim

is words affected her. "Don't read too much in

as something softer in

that the boundaries she had so carefully constructed were begi

lt like she was standing on the edge of a precipi

r, Andreas called after

ill in her hand. "We'll see," she said, h

s in a glass of water, she could

away at her defenses. He was