Nina didn't realize how hungry she was until the first bite.
The moment the food touched her tongue, something in her body surrendered. Warmth spread through her chest, and tension she hadn't known she was carrying began to dissolve. A soft sound escaped her before she could stop it, something between a sigh and a hum of satisfaction.
"Okay… wow," she muttered, barely pausing as she took another bite, savoring the blend of flavors that seemed almost too perfect for a casual weeknight dinner.
Lucas didn't sit. He remained standing across from her, one hand resting lightly against the counter, watching. His posture was relaxed, but his attention never wavered. Not in a way that made her uncomfortable, there was nothing predatory or invasive about it. But in a way that made her acutely aware of every movement she made, every breath she took.
