Arlen stood in front of the mirror, hair still damp, skin clean and flushed from a bath she hadn't rushed because she hadn't needed to. She'd put on something she knew Xavier would notice without having to comment on it, fabric sitting where it should, nothing accidental about it. She checked herself once more, adjusted a strap, then leaned her palms on the counter and let out a small breath.
She started humming without realizing it.
It was an old song, something half-remembered from a bar years ago, the tune carrying better than the words. Every now and then a line slipped out under her breath, off-key and unfinished, more habit than performance.
"…don't come home too late tonight…"
She smiled to herself and shook her head, glancing at the door again, wondering how long he'd been gone. Time had slipped sideways on her. It always did when she waited like this.
The, the bell rang.
Arlen's head snapped up.
