Timeless love

ENT

d them, heavy and suffocating. Finally, he broke it. "Have you eaten?" His voice softened as he noticed her sitting on the floor, despondent. "I haven't eaten; I'm really hungry. Steven always schedules meetings in the evening because he's trying to stay away from his wife." He took her hands in his, desperate to bridge the gap between them. "Come on, I made pasta. You must be really hungry." She nodded, her expression softening. "Um-when did you get home, and how did you manage to cook after that meeting today?" As he entered the living room and turned the lights back on, she dropped her jacket onto a chair, trailing after him into the kitchen. He dished out a plate of pasta and shrimp for her. "Your mom called me," Anna said as she ate, her voice casual but her eyes betraying a deeper tension. Henry just nodded, watching her intently as he served himself. "Wait, you didn't eat earlier?" she asked, concern creeping into her tone. He shook his head. "Anna, you know I can't eat alone." She laughed softly, the sound a balm to his frayed nerves. "Please tell me you don't still do that thing you did when we were kids?" He nodded, and her mouth dropped open in mock disbelief. "You are so adorable," she said, reaching out to hold his face in her hands. His heart raced at the contact, and he couldn't help but stare at her lips. "Do you really think so?" she asked, leaning in closer, her breath mingling with his. "I don't just think so; I know so," he replied, acting on impulse as he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was electric, but as soon as it happened, her body tensed, and he pulled back, panic flooding him. "Anna, I'm sorry. That was a mistake." She stood abruptly, carrying her plate to the sink, and he followed, the silence between them thickening. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable. Gathering her things, she retreated to her room, locking the door behind her. Alone, she pressed her hand to her racing hea