A Beautiful Lie.

The quiet hum of the car filled the space between them, the glow of streetlights casting fleeting shadows across Parker's face as he drove. His fingers tapped idly against the steering wheel, his thoughts running ahead of him. Ere lay curled on the passenger seat, her golden eyes locked on him, unblinking, like she was peeling back his layers one by one. She always knew when something was up, and right now, the faintest shift in his demeanor practically screamed it.

"You know," Parker broke the silence, keeping his eyes on the road, "Tessa's back. She's staying with us again," he said, his tone flat, almost like he was announcing the weather.