a trying to keep it together before she had to leave for work. Most mornings, M

d to name. They didn't talk about feelings. But it was there. When the kids were off to school or out playing, Marcus would help Gilia with l

noons running around the neighborhood, playing basketball or riding their bikes. On weekends,

ll filling the whole house. Marcus had come over to ask for some help with his c

asked, standing at the

g at him with a raised eyebr

ng inside without waiting for an i

head. "Get your plate b

g air making everything feel a little too close, a little too familiar. The kids were outside

Gilia said, looking out into the neighborhood. "I was r

beer. "I thought about it, too

own little commun

"Something

kids in the distance. Ava and Jordan were laughing, runnin

kids," Marcus sai

e tough, just l

d. "Yeah, I'

. Well, they're alrig

cent friendship could evolve into something far more complicated. For now, though,