Chapter 74 Pancakes And Melody

• DANTE
• I stayed focused on the monitor, my chest tightening as Marisol’s bedroom door creaked open. There she was. Pajama shorts, fitted T-shirt, bare feet soft against the floor. Her hair sat in a messy ponytail, giving her this sleepy, girlish charm that made my throat ache.
• I let out a slow breath, some of the tension bleeding from my shoulders. For a moment, I let myself have this. Just this small, quiet moment. She looked exactly as I remembered. Tousled. Effortless. Warm. My heart pulled tighter, but I forced myself to hold the line. Give her space. Respect the space.