After pizza, Diana herded Leo and Isla into her SUV, the kids chattering about camp and who had made the most shots. You offered to carry the leftover pizza box, and Isla immediately latched onto your free hand. “You’re fun,” she said as she skipped beside you. You smiled. “Thanks, Isla. You’re pretty fun too.” Diana glanced over her shoulder, a flicker of something softer crossing her face. “Don’t hype her up too much. She’ll start demanding her own trading card.” “Maybe she deserves one,” you shot back, earning a giggle from both kids. The drive back was filled with their energy—Leo explaining, in detail, how he was going to “dunk on Coach Dee someday,” while Isla leaned against your arm, already half-asleep. By the time Diana parked outside her house, both kids were drowsy, their sugar rush finally crashing. You helped carry Isla in, laying her gently on the couch while Leo trudged upstairs. Diana disappeared for a few minutes, tucking them in. When she came back, the house was quiet, and it was just the two of you in the dimly lit living room. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, studying you. “They like you.” You sank into the couch. “That’s a good sign, right?” “Depends,” she said, though her voice was softer than usual. “They don’t usually warm up to people this fast. Especially not… new people.” You tilted your head. “Does that make you nervous?” Her eyes flickered, a rare crack in her usual armor. “It makes me… cautious. After the divorce, I promised myself no one gets close unless they can handle everything that comes with me—kids, schedule, my… intensity.” You leaned forward, elbows on your knees. “Diana, you don’t have to explain yourself. I see you. All of it. And I don’t think you’re too much.” Her lips parted slightly, like your words had caught her off guard. She walked over, lowering herself onto the couch beside you, close enough that your shoulders brushed. “You know, Rookie,” she said, her voice dropping to something almost vulnerable, “I wasn’t planning on meeting anyone new. Wasn’t looking for it. But tonight…” She paused, her eyes locking on yours. “…you made it feel easy.” Your heart skipped. “Maybe that’s a good thing.” For a moment, the air hung thick between you—her sharp edges softened, her guarded walls not quite so high. She didn’t make a move, but the way her gaze lingered told you she was letting you in, piece by piece. Then Leo’s voice drifted down the stairs—“Mom! Isla stole my blanket!”—and the spell broke. Diana groaned, standing up with a smirk. “Welcome to my life.” You laughed, standing too. “I don’t mind.” And the truth was—you didn’t.