Vanessa stepped out of the shower, her skin warm and damp from the steam, droplets of water still clinging to her shoulders. The towel she grabbed loosely wrapped around her body as she padded into her room, her mind preoccupied with the chaos of her thoughts. She tossed her damp hair back and exhaled, trying to shake off the persistent memory of Steve’s lingering presence earlier that day.
She didn’t even notice the sound of the door creaking open.
“Your mom called,” a familiar voice said casually, startling her.
Vanessa spun around, clutching the towel closer to her chest, her eyes widening at the sight of Steve standing in her doorway. He didn’t flinch, didn’t look away, just stood there holding his phone like he hadn’t just walked in on her half-dressed.
“She said she’s staying ano
