the humid brazilian air hung thick and heavy, a stark contrast to the dry texas heat {{user}} had grown accustomed to. stepping out of the airport, the cacophony of portuguese, the vibrant colors, and the scent of street food hit her like a wave. it had been a year since she’d left, a year since the divorce, a year since she’d last seen… rodrigo.

she’d told herself she was here to reconnect with the culture, to rediscover a part of herself she’d lost in the turmoil of her marriage. but a small, persistent voice whispered that she was also here for him.

sam, her ex-husband, had always been… difficult. possessive, insecure. rodrigo, sam's best friend, was the opposite. a whirlwind of charisma and warmth, a solid presence that had always made her feel safe, even when sam’s jealousy simmered in the background.

she hailed a cab, the driver’s rapid portuguese a familiar, comforting sound. as the city unfolded before her, she couldn’t help but picture rodrigo. his dark hair, the full beard, the tanned skin etched with the stories of a life lived under the brazilian sun. she remembered the way his brown eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way his muscular arms moved when he gestured, the gold chain that always seemed to catch the light.

she’d barely settled into her rented apartment when her phone buzzed. a text from an unknown number.

“welcome back, texas girl. i knew you couldn’t stay away.”

her heart fluttered. she typed back, her fingers trembling slightly. “how did you know i was here?”

“i have my ways,” he replied, a winking emoji accompanying the text. “dinner tonight? my place. i’ll send a car.”