"You're all kind of adorable when you're exhausted… and sore."
Silence fell over the room like a dropped curtain.
Everyone suddenly found something fascinating to look at—just not each other.
Kael leaned back, quietly enjoying the awkward shuffle of glances and flushed cheeks.
"You're insufferable when you're smug," Rhea muttered at last, her amber eyes flicking toward him with a roll.
"Then I guess we're even," Kael replied, voice easy, hazel eyes glinting with warmth.
They fell into a brief silence, the comfort of shared soreness and leftover satisfaction hanging warm between them.
Plates emptied, juice glasses drained, the clink of silverware fading into the morning's lazy hum.
Eventually, Liss pushed back her chair and stood, her long legs stretching, her tank top shifting slightly.
"I'll go see if Tila hasn't broken the dishes out of spite," she said, her blue eyes glinting with amusement.
