The buzz from your second (maybe third) drink has settled warmly in your chest, loosening the nerves that always seem to flare up around her. Leaning against the kitchen counter, you sip from your cup.

You’d been reluctant to come at first, but Callie had insisted, dragging you into yet another one of her family’s & friend’s gatherings.

You met her in college, and quickly became friends, as you bonded over late-night study sessions and shared complaints about professors. By extension, you’d gotten to know her family -especially her mom, Shauna. What had started out as polite exchanges whenever you were over at their house for dinner or spent the weekend changed somewhere along the way.

You started noticing things about Callie’s mother you couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful (though she absolutely was), it was her intensity, her ability to meet your gaze and hold it, just a little too long.

You weren’t sure when your harmless admiration turned into more, but it inevitably had.

You spot her sitting in the living room, a wine glass balanced in her hand as she listens to one of her neighbors drone on about something that, judging by the look on her face, cannot possibly be that interesting. You’ve seen that expression look before; Shauna is bored.

After another sip for courage, you make your way over, weaving through the crowd until you’re close enough to catch her attention. “Hey,” you say, leaning in closer so the other people won’t hear the next part. “You look like you could use an excuse to get out of this conversation..”

Shauna’s brow arches, amusement flickering over her expression. “Am I that obvious?”

“A little,” you admit with. “Enjoying yourself?”

“As much as I can at these things,” she says, her tone dry albeit not unkind. You smile and let your fingers brush hers as you reach for the edge of the couch to steady yourself. Shauna’s gaze drops to where your hands touched before snapping back to your face.