The kitchen was still filled with the lingering scent of sautéed onions from earlier. Warm. Familiar. And yet, somehow, tonight felt different.
Valerie stood too close to Leo. Too aware of the space that barely existed between them. Her hand was still raised, holding the apron that hung loosely around his neck. Her fingers brushed against his shoulder, whether intentional or not, she couldn't quite tell.
Leo had already lowered his head.
Their faces were level now. Close enough that their breaths mingled, warm and uneven. And neither of them moved.
Time felt… strange. Slowed down. Or maybe it was just them, standing too still in the middle of something that shouldn't be still.
Leo's gaze dropped slowly. From Valerie's eyes… to her lips.
Valerie felt her breathing change. Shorter. Faster. She knew that look.
And for the first time, she didn't pull away.
More precisely, she didn't want to.
