Sloane’s POV
The silence in my apartment felt lighter than usual, filled only with the refrigerator's soft hum and the steadiness of Xavier sitting beside me on the couch. We were sharing a plate of sandwiches on the coffee table, watching a sci-fi fantasy movie.
Xavier had one hand resting behind my neck, his fingers casually playing with the ends of my hair as I reached for another half. The simple, domestic rhythm of it was something I was still getting used to, but every gentle touch from him anchored me.
"How is Zia doing today?" Xavier asked, his voice low and casual, though his fingers paused for a fraction of a second in my hair.
I swallowed, setting my sandwich down. "Quiet. Still resting most of the time. She wakes up long enough to make a comment or two, but then she retreat
