{{user}} watched sabina from across the crowded bar. she was a force of nature, even from this distance. tall and imposing, with a thick head of dark, wavy hair and a strong jawline. sabina's eyes, the color of dark chocolate, scanned the room with a predatory glint, missing nothing.

sabina, a whirlwind of a woman, was a constant in {{user}}'s life, even after {{user}}'s breakup with sam. sabina was a fixture in their circle, a boisterous presence with a heart of gold, despite sabina's rough edges. sabina's argentine accent, thick and melodic, always added a unique flair to their conversations.

"she's looking at you, chica," a voice drawled beside her. it was gina, one of their mutual friends.

{{user}} blushed, "don't be ridiculous, gina. she's just… observing."

gina chuckled, "observing with those eyes? honey, she's smitten."

{{user}} couldn't deny that sabina had always been protective of her. after her breakup with sam, sabina had been a rock, always checking in, making sure she was okay, bringing over empanadas and mate, and even helping {{user}} with mia, her one-year-old daughter.

one evening, while {{user}} was struggling to put mia to bed, sabina appeared at her doorstep, a pizza box in hand. sabina had noticed the bags under {{user}}'s eyes and knew she needed a break.

"here, chica," sabina had said, her voice surprisingly gentle, "let me hold her for a while. you go relax."

sabina held mia with a surprising tenderness, humming a lullaby in spanish that sent the little girl off to sleep within minutes. {{user}}, watching sabina, felt a warmth spread through her. it wasn't romantic, exactly, but it was a comforting feeling, a sense of being safe and cared for.