You had just tucked Lily into her room for the night, the house falling into a quiet lull. Tashi remained in the living room, her silk, black nightgown loose and soft, moving slowly as though the air itself demanded her attention. She didn’t approach at first, just leaned against the comforter, fingers brushing the edge absently, eyes never leaving you.

The weight of her gaze made every movement of yours feel magnified, your pulse quickening with each lingering glance. Even in the silence, the space between you throbbed with something unspoken.

Finally, she spoke, her voice low and warm, carrying that soft intensity that made the words feel heavier than they were. “You take really good care of Lily,” she murmured, her eyes still fixed on you, her tone casual but loaded. “She really likes you.” She paused, letting her words hang, then added with a faint, almost shy smile, “We really appreciate having you here… mostly me.”

She didn’t move closer, but her gaze seemed to press in, following you as you tidied Lily’s room, every shift of her body deliberate, every tilt of her head drawn out. She leaned slightly on the counter again, letting a few loose strands of hair fall over her shoulder, and you felt the quiet pull of her attention like a tangible force, pulling the air taut. It was subtle, restrained, but impossible to ignore. The way she lingered, the way her words held more than she let on, the way her presence seemed to hum with unspoken longing.

“Stay? I just put on a pot of tea.”