e job, things felt

was the only one I really spent time with. He spoke to me like I mattered. Like I was someone, not just the help. That surprised me. F

s spotless. Staff moved around like shadows, quiet and trained. It felt

you," and leave. Even when she stayed, her tone was cold. Dismissive. I saw it, clear as day. T

as the mother of Sylvester and Eleanor. She passed away years ago. This woman had c

to me. Everyone knew who she was. A fashion icon. An influencer. A model on magazin

shion brands. Their name opened doors. But despite all that, the

ng. I was starting to unde

s to check on his father. Sometimes late at night, other times in betwe

f his father had eaten or if he was sleeping well. Small conversations th

hat sharp, rude energy was gone. It softened.

ctly when

he almost

It was getting dark, and I wasn't expecting to see anyo

me. He swerved

e coll

before anyone else could. He was sweating, barely holding himself up. Th

No food. His blood

ept him alert. Made sure he didn't pass out.

re, I don't know wha

, the way he loo

se. Something that lingered be

hort visit with his father, S

lights were glowing in the dark like stars on the ground. I foll

t him. His voice. His ey

. His hands were in his pockets.

you could take som

ed. "Ti

ff assist my father for the evening. It's

as q

wasn't smiling or

't know wh

lit up i

e in a long time. I pulled out dresses and put them back. I didn't want t

fit my waist nicely and made me feel like myself again.

r, I paused. I didn't expe

erything I'd

men. Sworn off trusting anyone. But here I was. Nervous abo

st a thank you dinner. That it didn'

nt som

n the garden whe

nd something in his

t expecting that. Like he for

really beauti

. His eyes told m

silence. Not awk

hing was dim. The lights were soft, the t

me. Sat across from me like

tal

ow much he missed his mother. He didn't say a lot abou

About my bakery. My town

Not the full story. Just enough

ughed

chen on fire trying to make spaghetti wh

d burnt banana bread

is eyes crinkled at the corne

I forgot abou

trayal. The peop

just me

t came, I didn't e

mine across the t

I fe

e was trying to figure

you came

t didn't

y n

t what it feels

"I know t

after that. Just sa

we drove

use was dark. Every

d by th

e wanted to say someth

ally good t

pped c

ed my face, sl

e kiss

Not desperat

re

erything I had l

moment, I wasn't

omeone