Lunara's mum reached for her keys and said she'd drop us home.
She was already counting how many of us there were, planning the route in her head. No pause. She didn't check if it worked for anyone.
The car ride was loud in the good way. Lunara talked too fast. Jace argued about the music. Aisling laughed so hard she leaned forward between the seats. I sat back and let it happen, the hum of the road settling low in my chest.
I didn't feel like I was being measured.
When we pulled into the driveway, Erin was already outside.
She smiled when she saw us. Stepped forward. Hugged Aisling first, then Jace. She greeted Lunara warmly, her hand resting briefly on her shoulder.
I slowed without meaning to.
For a moment, I thought she might turn toward me next. I stayed still, waiting for the movement to finish.
She didn't.
Erin turned instead to Lunara's mum.
"You should stay for dinner," she said easily. "It's getting late."
Lunara's mum hesitated, smiling. "Are you sure?"
"Of course," Erin replied. "We don't mind."
I watched Lunara's face shift from surprise to relief. She glanced at me, quick and quiet.
Liam grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door.
"I'm heading out," he said.
He left.
Inside, the house filled the way it always did when there were guests. Erin moved efficiently, polite and composed. Lunara's mum thanked her twice. Plates were set. Chairs were pulled out. Conversation moved easily around me.
After dinner, Aisling dragged a stack of board games from the cupboard like she'd been waiting for an excuse.
We ended up on the floor in a loose circle, pieces scattered between us. Jace kept shifting the rules whenever it suited him. Lunara called him out without looking up. Aisling took over keeping score and immediately made it unreliable.
No one agreed on anything.
I laughed without checking myself first.
It felt easy.
When Erin passed through the room, she paused long enough to ask if anyone wanted water. She smiled at Lunara's mum again, asked about her drive, said she was glad she stayed.
She didn't look at me.
I didn't move to catch her attention.
As the game went on, I watched Lunara settle into the room like she'd always been there.
Later, while we cleaned up, she brushed past me on her way to the kitchen.
I felt steady.
That was what stayed with me.