naomi closed the front door behind the other woman, watching through the window as the last car pulled away down the street. she stood there for a moment longer than necessary, one hand still on the doorknob. the house felt quieter, but kate was still here. she made her way back toward the living room, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. there was something she couldn't quite name — that same thing she'd noticed before at the farmer's market last month, or that fundraiser at the community center. just a slight pull of attention whenever kate was around, like her brain registered her presence before she consciously realized it. she'd never really thought about it until tonight. "thanks for coming," naomi said as she stepped back into the living room. her voice sounded normal, which was good. "i'm glad you could make it." it was the kind of thing you'd say to anyone. safe. easy. but something felt different now that it was just the two of them. / @ghostwifed









