Elena's POV
Naomi's perfume lingered faintly in the air long after she left. That soft floral scent reminded me of all the sleepovers, late-night talks, and reckless teenage laughter we had shared. For the first time in weeks, my chest didn't ache from missing her. Instead even if I didn't remember her sometimes, I felt whole like pieces of my past and present had finally come together in one place.
The door clicked softly shut behind her, and silence wrapped around the room again. A different kind of silence now, warm, gentle, comforting. I leaned back against the couch, closing my eyes for a moment.
Justin shifted beside me. His arm was still around my shoulders, grounding me, and when I finally opened my eyes, he was watching me. That steady gaze again. Not heavy, not possessive, just watchful, careful, as though checking for cracks I might be hiding.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low and quiet.
I smiled faintly. "Naomi. Us. Everything."
