I exhaled long, steadying myself.
That dream—no, that vision—still clung to the edges of my mind, but I shoved it down.
'Not now.'
I dragged myself out of bed, slipped on a shirt, and made my way to the kitchen.
The smell of garlic and eggs hit me the moment I turned the corner.
Noel was already there, humming softly as he moved around the stove like he owned it. Shirt half-wrinkled, hair a mess, spatula in hand—he looked at ease. Comfortable. Like this was his place too.
"Morning," he said without looking. "You okay? You look like you fought a nightmare."
I shrugged, forcing a lazy smirk. "Must've been the pizza."
He snorted, plating the last of the food. "Better get used to it. I'm cooking until we run out of money."
I dropped into the chair, took the plate he handed over, and dug in. Quiet minutes passed—until he spoke again, softer this time.
"Hey... Nile."
I looked up
