Wednesday evening

The transition from the raw, youthful heat of Chloe’s bedroom to the domestic tension of the kitchen is sharp. As Jason stumbles out of the house, looking dazed and thoroughly "used," and Tyler locks himself away to turn his jealousy into better code, the house begins to brace for the return of the master.

The scent of roasting garlic and rosemary fills the air as Cherie works at the stove. She’s moving with a certain grace, her mind still partially occupied by the rhythmic prose of her secret novel. Alexis is perched on a barstool, sipping a glass of wine and providing a running commentary on the neighborhood gossip.

The doorbell rings. A moment later, Mark, Chad’s younger brother, breezes into the kitchen without waiting to be let in. He’s the physical antithesis of Chad: where Chad is rigid and graying, Mark is tan, athletic, and wears a permanent, mischievous grin that has caused no end of trouble in the family.

"Is that my favorite sister-in-law I smell?" Mark calls out, sliding behind Cherie before she can react. He places a hand on the small of her back—just a second too long for comfort—as he leans over her shoulder to peek into the pot. "God, Cherie, if my brother ever figures out how lucky he is, I’m going to have to stage an intervention."

Cherie flushes, stepping back to create distance, but she’s smiling. Mark’s brand of blatant, harmless-but-not-really flirting is exactly the kind of attention she’s been starved for. "Mark! You’re early. Chad isn't even home yet."

"I know," Mark winks, his eyes traveling down her apron to her legs. "I figure if I beat him home, I get ten minutes of your undivided attention. That’s a trade I’ll take any day."

Alexis snorts, her eyes following Mark with a predatory glint. "Careful, Mark. The air in this house is a bit... charged today. You might get more than you bargained for."