Kendra sat on the edge of the pool, her legs submerged in the cool water, watching as the ripples distorted the reflection of the moon. She exhaled slowly, trying to release the tension from dinner, but it still lingered in her chest.
The sound of footsteps behind her made her glance over her shoulder. Mark had kicked off his shoes and rolled up his pant legs before settling beside her, dipping his feet into the water.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet hum of the night surrounded them, the distant sound of crickets filling the space between their breaths.
Mark finally broke the silence. “Your mother means well, you know.”
Kendra scoffed. “You sound just like her.”
He smirked. “I’m just saying… sometimes people push hard because they think they’re protecting you.”
Kendra
