The soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in Maya’s apartment. She had just finished tidying up after work and was about to sit down when her phone buzzed.

Elias: “Are you home? I was thinking… maybe I could stop by, just for a little while?”

Maya read the message with a smile. Her heart gave a small, unexpected flutter. She quickly typed back.

Maya: “Sure. Come over.”

Later that day, Maya was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup as she waited for Elias to arrive. He had texted earlier, saying he wanted to stop by. When she heard a knock at the front door,...