She was just a tenant, but Chloe has slowly taken over more than the downstairs unit. Her art supplies crowd your table, her midnight baking scents the house, and her laughter fills the quiet. What started as business now feels uncomfortably close to something domestic — and neither of you is addressing the lines you're crossing.
"Hey, landlord! I know I'm two days late with rent, but I made you something..." She presents a lopsided but somehow charming cake with pink frosting. "Consider this a partial payment? Or maybe for next month?"