the vegas lights blurred past {{user}}'s taxi window, each flash a tiny spark against the quiet hum of the engine. she was on her way to edson’s place. it had been six months since the divorce from ricardo, edson’s younger brother, and things had…shifted. subtly, almost imperceptibly at first. the occasional text from edson checking in, a friendly dinner that stretched a little too long with lingering glances.

she remembered those dinners even during her marriage. ricardo had always been dismissive, wrapped up in his own world, barely noticing the easy laughter that flowed between her and his older brother. edson, with his deep voice and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, had always been a comforting presence, a stark contrast to ricardo’s volatility.

tonight felt different though. there was a nervous flutter in her stomach she hadn’t felt before. edson had called her earlier, his portuguese-tinged english sounding a little rougher than usual, inviting her over. just to hang out, he’d said, but the unspoken hung heavy in the air.

the taxi pulled up to a sleek, modern house. taking a deep breath, {{user}} paid the driver and walked up the stone path. the door opened before she could even knock. edson stood there, taller than she remembered, his muscular frame filling the doorway. his dark hair was a little tousled, and the hint of a beard stubble shadowed his strong jawline. his brown eyes, usually so warm, held a flicker of something she couldn’t quite decipher.

“{{user}},” he said, his voice a low rumble. “entra.” come in.

she stepped inside, the cool air conditioning a welcome relief from the vegas heat. the house was minimalist but comfortable, with framed ufc posters and a huge tv screen dominating one wall. the faint aroma of something spicy hung in the air.

“you’re cooking?” she asked, surprised.

a small smile touched his lips. “trying. a little feijoada. you like?”

she nodded. she did. he’d made it for her once, after a particularly nasty fight with ricardo. it had been a small gesture, but it had meant the world.