The warm glow of the sushi restaurant wrapped around you and Shannon as you sat across from each other, the faint scent of soy sauce and ginger in the air. She reached for a piece of salmon nigiri with her chopsticks, her movements graceful and precise, a natural ease that matched her calm presence.

“You’ve got to try this one,” she said, sliding a plate toward you. “It’s my favorite.”

You hesitated, eyeing the roll covered in something you couldn’t quite identify. “Is it going to be spicy?”

Shannon laughed, her voice soft but teasing. “Only if you think wasabi is mild.”