MONDAY EVENING - DINING ROOM
Orion sat at the dinner table in their apartment. Last dinner here before the move tomorrow.
Cassia had cooked. Real pasta with homemade sauce. She'd gone all out for the occasion.
Nyla sat beside him. Close. Their hands intertwined under the table.
Cassia set down the serving dish and took her seat. Looked at both of them. Her eyes lingered on their joined hands.
"So," she said. "Are we going to talk about it or just pretend I don't notice?"
Orion and Nyla exchanged glances.
"Talk about what?" Nyla asked innocently.
"About the fact that you two are dating. And have been sleeping in the same room for the past two days."
Nyla's face went red. "You knew?"
"I'm your mother. Of course I knew." Cassia served herself pasta. "I'm not blind. Or deaf. These walls aren't exactly thick."
Orion cleared his throat. "We were going to tell you."
Nyla looked nervous. "Are you... upset?"
