"No way." Devin looked puzzled, gesturing towards the lush and tree-lined backyard, "This yard's huge. How could my smoking bother Leanne?"
"You're bothering me," Curtis replied, "Next time you smoke, don't come around me. I can't stand secondhand smoke."
"When did you become such a delicate flower?" Devin took the cigarette from his lips and tossed it, flopping back down onto the bench. "Guess I'll quit today then."
The others followed suit, throwing their cigarettes away too.
Just six months ago, the news that Curtis and Leanne had headed to the courthouse to get a divorce had been the talk of their circle. Who would have thought that they'd end up back together in such a short time?
"Ever since he got back with Leanne, Curtis seems so much more gentle.""
"Do I come off as a demon or a monster in your eyes or what?" Curtis leaned back in his chair with a half-smile, overhearing a conversation from the yard.
Joy and Selina were walking along, glued to their phones.
"This pic turned out great."
"Send it to me."
"Where's Leanne?" Curtis scanned behind them, noting their empty trail.
"She went to drop off Violet," Joy replied. "Hasn't she come back yet?"
Grace, who had just returned a few minutes earlier, chimed in, "I think I saw Leanne by the pond when I came back."
The secluded garden in the midst of the bustling town held a quiet charm, the wooden deck lined neatly with smooth pebbles. The soft clatter of shoes on stone mingled with the rustle of the wind.
The flower buds were pointing up, ready to bloom in the midsummer heat. Along the winding path stood a graceful figure, bathed in a soft glow from the overhead lights.
She stood sideways, reaching out with a piece of tall grass to tease a cat perched on the rocky faux-mountain.
The cat, perhaps tired from a day of exploring its vast new territory, lazily ignored the teasing grass.
Curtis slowed his steps.
The figure turned, revealing herself as Xenia.
"Mr. Curtis," she said softly, a pleasant tone to her voice. "Are you out for a walk?"
Curtis, standing in dim light, his expression unreadable, asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I followed the cat," Xenia replied. "Is this your cat? It's so cute!"
Curtis glanced at the indifferent feline, "It doesn't seem to find you as adorable."
Xenia didn't seem offended. She just smiled and said, "Grace told me you have quite the sharp tongue, and she was right."
"What else did she tell you?"
"She shared your love story with Leanne," Xenia said, her eyes lighting up like the soft glow reflected in them. "I was pretty envious hearing about it."
"Envious of what?" Curtis asked.
"Envious that even after separation, you and Leanne still ended up back together, clearly still in love with each other," Xenia explained. "I envy Leanne for finding someone who loves her as much as you do." Curtis smirked, his eyes lazy yet detached. Perhaps it was the dim light playing tricks, but his tone held a hint of sarcasm, "Keep envying then."
Suddenly, the bored cat leapt from the faux-mountain and scampered off, meowing as it went.
Curtis' gaze followed the cat to a figure emerging under an archway. Leanne bent down to scoop up the cat that was now playfully circling her legs. She looked up, her gaze meeting Curtis, then shifting past him to the figure on the path.
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