"Don't be silly," Elena smiled, drying her hands and joining him at the bar. "Mark would never forgive me if I sent you to a hotel. Besides, I finally get to hear the real versions of those college stories."
The front door creaked open, and the heavy tread of Mark’s boots echoed in the foyer. The spell broke instantly. Elena stood up, her heart racing as she called out a greeting. Mark entered, shaking off his wet coat, oblivious to the quiet electricity that still hung in the air between his wife and his best friend. "Don't be silly," Elena smiled, drying her hands
Julian sat at the small breakfast bar, a half-empty glass of wine in front of him. He and Mark had been inseparable since college, but Elena had only seen him at weddings and the occasional holiday party. To her, he was the "legendary Julian"—the subject of countless stories, yet still a stranger in many ways. The spell broke instantly
The rain drummed a steady, rhythmic beat against the kitchen window as Elena finished the last of the dinner dishes. Her husband, Mark, was still stuck at the office—a casualty of the end-of-the-month rush. He had called an hour earlier, his voice weary, asking if she’d mind keeping his best friend, Julian, company. Julian had arrived in town for a surprise visit, only to find Mark tied to his desk. Julian sat at the small breakfast bar, a