The apartment door creaked open with a soft hum of hinges, revealing the warm scent of cinnamon, old wood, and a faint undertone of lavender-scented cleaning spray. Adrianna stepped inside cautiously, her boots echoing lightly on the tiled floor. She had braced herself for cold formality or awkwardness, but what greeted her was an expression of surprise laced with genuine warmth.
"Adrianna?" Cathy stood in the small hallway, a dish towel still in her hand, her eyes wide.
Adrianna offered a hesitant smile. "I told you I'd come."
Cathy chuckled softly and tossed the towel aside, wrapping her in a firm, unexpected hug. "I didn't think you'd actually show. You're like mist these days. Here one moment, gone the next."
"Well," Adrianna murmured, pulling away, "I promised them I'd try."
