The whole place smelled like cinnamon and warmth. "Thanks for having me tonight," I said at the door. She hugged me and waved me inside.
I didn't want to show up empty-handed. "Can I bring anything for dinner?" I texted. She said just yourself, but I brought wine anyway.
The table was covered with little plates of food. "Help yourself to the snacks," I told everyone. People dug in and relaxed at once.
He hovered by the door, unsure where to sit. "Come in, make yourself at home," I said. He finally let his shoulders drop.
The clock had quietly slipped past eleven. "This was lovely, but I should get going," I said. We promised to do it again soon.