The apartment was bigger than I expected—airy, with tall windows that poured in the city lights, every room furnished as though it had been waiting just for us. Nico ran from room to room, his laughter echoing, small fingers grazing the new furniture like he couldn’t believe it was all real.
“Do you like it, buddy?” Chris crouched down to Nico’s level, smiling warmly. Nico nodded so hard his hair flopped into his eyes.
I stood back, watching them. A pang shot through me, sharp and complicated. Chris, kneeling there, looking at Nico with something so close to paternal affection it frightened me. Because for a moment, it almost looked like a family.
When Nico finally settled in the bedroom with his toys, Chris turned to me.
Silence stretched, thick and expectant.
His voice broke it firs
