Before going to bed, Elara called and asked Emma to check WhatsApp. When she opened the app, she froze. Elara had sent her several pictures from their beach outing.
Emma scrolled through them slowly, a faint ache settling in her chest as she saw how natural everything had felt that day. Brandon had been close, attentive, and so familiar that, for a few moments, she had almost forgotten how much had changed between them.
She paused at one particular picture. Brandon was leaning toward her, his eyes fixed on hers, and something about the look on his face made her heart skip. The pups had interrupted them before the moment could go any further, and Emma had been grateful for the distraction.
But now, staring at the picture alone in the quiet of her room, she found herself wondering what might have happened if they hadn't been interrupted.
The days passed quietly.
Nothing seemed to change, yet somehow, everything did.
