PUZZLING ENCOUNTERS

Leo stepped out of the room, his footsteps echoing softly against the floor. Ari trailed behind him, her thoughts a tangled mess. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. She followed him quietly, lost in her thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened.

Suddenly, without warning, Leo turned around and scooped her up in his arms, lifting her in a princess-style carry. Ari gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t expected this at all. Her mind raced, trying to process the sudden shift in his behavior. “You are so heavy,” Leo teased, a playful smile tugging at his lips. His tone was light, but there was something in his eyes that made Ari’s heart race even faster.