The evening felt warmer than the thermostat claimed, the kind of gentle, settling warmth that came not from the air but from the weight of routine and familiarity. Through the half-open window, Katherine could hear it all, and it mingled with the livelier sounds inside her apartment.
Dinner had been simple tonight, grilled chicken, a fresh salad, and a small bowl of fruit for dessert, but the mood at the table had been unexpectedly light. Felix had shown up unannounced, though "unannounced" felt inaccurate. Katherine had known he would come eventually.
