The air in the house had shifted. Sophie’s giggles echoed faintly in the background as she played in the living room, her joy a stark contrast to the tension between Lauren and Larry. Since their last amusement park outing, things had felt... closer. Not just physically, but emotionally, too. And that terrified Lauren.
Larry walked into the kitchen, his movements fluid, effortless, as if he wasn’t aware of how he seemed to fill every space he entered. He opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and leaned against the counter, watching her.
Lauren avoided his gaze, busying herself with scrubbing a plate that was already spotless.
“You’ve been quiet all morning,” Larry said, breaking the silence. His voice carried that casual, teasing tone, but there was a thread of concern underneat
