The Shift

Sofia’s phone rang just after breakfast.

I was rinsing plates when her voice changed professional, apologetic, already packing the conversation into smaller pieces. She hung up, turned to Noah, and explained in a rush: a client emergency, an earlier flight, the need to be back in the city by evening. Ethan offered to drive her to the airport. Noah walked her to the door with a hand at the small of her back, the two of them speaking in low voices I did not try to catch. The goodbye kiss they shared on the threshold was brief and familiar. Then she was gone, suitcase rolling down the path,...