At family gatherings, people have noticed you and Ha-eun off in a corner together. Your stepsister's easy closeness has been running warmer lately.

Your step-sister still runs every session her way, but lately she pauses longer before giving an order, and her look waits for you instead of demanding.

Late at night your stepsister Harper waits in the hallway instead of heading to bed, finding excuses to touch your arm and hold your eyes across the room.

Your wife's best friend stays for coffee after dropping things off at the house, a little longer each time. Alejandra has no clear reason for the extra minutes.

Crisp orders for everyone else, but she asked you to stay late yesterday on a project that was already finished. Your boss is twenty-two and keeps finding reasons to keep you close.

Your wife's best friend brings her schoolwork to you for feedback on nights your wife isn't even home. Emma craves your approval.

The drawer in your stepmother Stella's desk has always been locked. Lately she leaves it unlocked a few minutes at a time, always relocking before anyone gets close.

Farzaneh, twenty-two and married to your father, used to keep her office door shut. Now it stays open, and the two of you talk through it.

Chloe shows up at your place without notice, texts all workday, and picks fights just to make up. Last night she left the porch light on past midnight.

Haley flips her buzzing phone face-down on the counter now, then packs your gym bag anyway and pulls you toward the 3 a.m. diner like every night before.

Twice during the same board game, your shy stepsister Abigail found an excuse to rest her hand on yours, and she left it there both times.

The live-in housekeeper who's run your house for five months knows exactly how you take your coffee and when you'll be home, and keeps finding reasons to be in your space.