The evening air was heavy with unspoken words as Alex walked into the kitchen from work, where Claire and Emma were chatting lightly with the chef.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables filled the space, but even that warmth couldn't dispel the tension that seemed to thicken the moment Alex stepped in.
Emma glanced at him briefly before looking away, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the countertop.
Even though Ivy and Claire had told her what to do, she still couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye.
How was she even supposed to do it when things are this awkward? Maybe going along with their plan wasn't the way forward after all. She told herself as she looked at everywhere else but at Alex.
Alex noticed so instead he focused on the chef whom he gave a polite nod. No matter how hard he tried to stop himself, his gaze flicked to Emma and it remained on her for a split second longer than he intended.
