★Cassandra★
The smell of sautéed onions and warm tortillas filled my kitchen. I stood barefoot on the cool tiles and stirred the skillet while the evening breeze drifted through the open balcony doors. The city outside was alive with soft lights, distant chatter, and a few car horns, but inside, it felt calm. Eli had texted an hour earlier saying he would bring the wine, which meant he would arrive on time. He always did. He was reliable in that way, steady, organized, and kind. I had decided on tacos for tonight. Simple, quick, and messy enough to make us laugh. After the week I had, laughter sounded like a luxury. A moment later there was a knock at the door, and I smiled.
“Come in!” I called out as I wiped my hands on a towel. Eli stepped inside with two bottles of red wine in one ha
