Elena’s POV
Leo ran ahead toward the swings, backpack bouncing against his small shoulders. The park smelled like cut grass and warm pavement. Adrian’s fingers brushed mine once, twice, then stayed linked as we followed.
He didn’t speak right away. His thumb moved slowly across my knuckles, rough and warm.
Leo scrambled onto a swing and started pumping his legs hard. The chains creaked in steady rhythm. Adrian watched him for a long moment before glancing at me.
“You’re quiet.”
I kept my eyes on Leo. “Just watching.”
We sat on the wooden bench. A breeze moved through the leaves above us. Adrian’s knee pressed lightly against mine. I leaned my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes for a few seconds, listening to the creak of the swing and the distant traffic.
When I opened the
