Leah Hartmann hadn't planned on staying for dinner.
She stood in the hallway of Jonas's house, her coat still half on, listening to the low murmur of voices drifting in from the kitchen. The place smelled faintly of rosemary and something warm baking in the oven. It didn't feel like a house you rushed through. It felt like a place where things lingered.
"Mom, this is Leah."
The voice was close now. Jonas sounded casual, distracted, like this was just another small step in a day full of them. Leah turned, smoothing her sweater instinctively, and found herself facing Alyssa Weber for the first time.
She looked… ordinary. And somehow not at all.
Alyssa smiled, the kind of smile that reached her eyes without effort. She was wearing a soft blue blouse, sleeves pushed up, as if she'd forgotten about appearances halfway through the afternoon. Her hair was loosely tied back, strands already slipping free.
"So you're the one," Alyssa said lightly. "I've heard a lot about you."
Leah blinked. "You have?"
Jonas shrugged. "I might've mentioned you once or twice."
Alyssa laughed, a quiet sound, warm. "Come in. You must be freezing."
Leah stepped inside, letting Alyssa take her coat. Their fingers brushed—barely—and Leah told herself she imagined the jolt that followed.
It was just a touch. Accidental. Meaningless.
Dinner was easy. That surprised her most.
They sat at the kitchen table, sunlight fading through the window as Alyssa moved effortlessly between stove and conversation. She asked Leah about her classes, remembered the name of the book Leah mentioned liking, nodded in a way that made it feel like her answers mattered.
Jonas mostly scrolled through his phone.
Leah noticed. She always did.
At one point, Alyssa placed a bowl in front of her and said, "You eat like someone who forgets when she's stressed."
Leah paused, spoon hovering. "I—yeah. I guess."
Alyssa smiled softly. "I used to do the same thing."
Used to. The words sat gently between them.
The evening stretched. Leah should have left an hour ago. She knew that. But every time she shifted in her chair, Alyssa asked her something else—about her family, her plans, her favorite place to sit when she needed to think.
It felt… intimate. Not in a way that set off alarms. In a way that felt strangely safe.
When Leah finally stood to leave, Alyssa walked her to the door.
"It was really nice to meet you," Alyssa said. "You're welcome here anytime."
Leah nodded, suddenly unsure what to do with her hands. "Thank you. I—this was really nice."
Alyssa hesitated, then reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Leah's ear. The gesture was brief, natural. Almost maternal.
Almost.
"Drive safe," Alyssa said.
Leah stepped outside into the cool night air, heart beating a little too fast for no clear reason. As she walked toward the car, she glanced back once.
Alyssa was still standing in the doorway, watching her go.
Leah told herself it didn't mean anything.
She had no idea yet how wrong she was.