The early morning sunlight is genuinely excellent—clean and clear. It lazily streams through the window, warming my skin without any harshness. Max and I are sitting formally at the dining table for the first time, enjoying breakfast together. There's no hurried departure on his part and no follow-up social engagements on mine.
Steam rises from the freshly baked bread, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, paired with fresh jam. Every bite feels warm and sweet.
"This is freshly made energy juice. It's good for detoxing in the morning," Max said, passing me the glass.
"And the yoghurt oat bowl helps with calcium. Last time, you left without eating anything."
"I'm eating, I'm eating." Embarrassed, I lowered my head and took a big bite. His words sounded almost fatherly, making me
