Velvet nights

: Lines i

she woke with the weight of some

fe

re

re dangerous

o soft. So heavy with meaning. It wasn't just Alfred's anymore -

ed the kitchen - black suit, sharp heels,

ck's again?" she ask

nod

, slowly. "Yo

t know I

oice flat. "It's just... yo

harder than

t a little. "Are yo

n't k

sho

head. "Why? So

wn a little too hard. "

lding. It was hidden from the street - a lush, green space e

er a cup of tea and walked barefoot acros

ay," he said afte

he war

looked at her. "You're dan

eyebrow. "Is th

a tr

hered bench. His hand brush

be part of a tr

wn. "Then what

id. "But not

she didn't g

ophia on the balcony, hair down, smoking s

me," Le

slow. "You're

ightened. "I d

. But y

eyes weren't cold

"Touches. Late-night phone calls. And I waited. I never

ed closer.

rself to them. And I wond

oo heavy.

arm. "You alway

ed in. "The

playful. Not performative. Just years of q

ike she meant it. Beca

skin still buzzing, Soph

llowed to dis

won

ry time you second-g

her eyes.

her collarbone

ng, a message

dri

ulling a

e from

fr

mething for you. But

e her, still asleep, ha

e wa

ersions

f the

them da

, the city glittering be

choices

hem would com