Sitting on the couch in Athlea's cozy living room, I took a moment to absorb the details of her home.
Everything was decorated in soft colors, with hints of floral accents and a subtle, sweet fragrance that lingered in the air, adding a warm, homely touch to the space.
A framed photo of Athlea and her husband rested on the side table near the TV—a smiling couple, the picture-perfect duo, but a part of me couldn't help but notice a certain distance in her eyes even in that photograph.
From the kitchen, I heard the gentle clink of cups and plates as she prepared tea.
"Austin," she called, "you look like you haven't eaten! Did you get anything for dinner?"
I met her gaze, deciding to go along with the warmth of the moment. "Not yet… I thought I'd keep some room."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "So you stayed hungry just for my company?"
