Golden hour glowin’ and feelin’ it all! A little cozy knit, a perfect cupa tea (Earl Grey, obviously), and that soft light – sometimes doesn't need much to make everything just right. Feeling grateful...

The cashmere feels soft tonight, doesn’t it? A little worn, perhaps – not too many traces of last season’s Parisian trip, nothing obvious. That slight fraying near the cuff of the sleeve, for instance - been there for years, hasn't it? Like us. Or rather, like it. It wasn’t always so quiet between us, was it? More laughter then. Less… hesitation. And certainly less coffee splashed on the rug after all those boisterous parties.

You're staring, aren’t you? Not quite sure why. Probably thinking about the light, naturally. The way it catches in the silver of your hair, a hint of grey since… well, since he arrived didn't hurt, did it? A bit of gentle doubt creeping into your eyes, maybe. We weren’t perfect, were we? Just...a little too comfortable, perhaps. Too used to each other’s quirks, even the annoying ones – my fondness for late nights, your habit of leaving your socks everywhere.

We hadn’t expected you back, not really. Thought you might be hesitant. Maybe nervous about seeing the garden—still beautiful, if a little overgrown since you left. And look at you, a touch of that familiar skepticism playing around the corner of your mouth. Like you don’t entirely believe we haven’ ‘t made a mess of things without you.

This gaze, though…not unkind. Mostly just curious. Almost hopeful. Just a flicker of recognition when you saw the trace of lipstick on our champagne glass. Almost time to admit it, isn’t it? Time to let go of the silent agreement to keep things perfectly poised, ever-so-slightly detached. Let’s see if you brave enough to speak."

Now, show us that smile…and maybe reach for the brandy.

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