Alisha emerged from the kitchen, her hands slightly damp from washing up after dropping off the fresh produce she had bought earlier at the market. The rich aroma of spices and herbs still clung to her clothes, a subtle reminder of the bustling market she had just left. She paused in the doorway, her gaze scanning the room until it landed on Ryan, who sat at the far end of the resturant, casually leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. His eyes flicked up to meet hers, his expression warm but curious.
Just as she was about to walk over to him, a hand gently touched her arm, stopping her in her tracks. Alisha turned her head slightly and saw Zeriel standing there, his dark eyes steady and searching, his grip firm yet not overbearing. He didn't say a word, but he didn't need to. The unspoken tension between them was palpable, like a string pulled taut between two poles.
