Later that night, as Bode sat alone in his apartment, the weight of the day pressed heavily on him. The conversation with Gabriella had stirred up emotions he thought he had buried. The thought of her starting a family with Diego, leaving behind the life they had once shared, gnawed at him. He tried to push the feelings away, to focus on anything else, but it was no use.

A soft knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He knew who it was before he even opened it. Audrey stood there, her blonde hair glowing softly in the dim light of the hallway, her striking blue eyes filled with concern.

"Hey," she said, her voice gentle. "I just wanted to check on you. How was the trip? Is Manny okay?"

Bode stepped aside to let her in, the warmth of her presence a welcome distraction. "Yeah, he's... he's okay. It's been a rough few days for him, but we got him back to Edgewater. Hopefully, he'll start to get his life back on track."

Audrey nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "And you? How are you holding up?"

Bode forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside. "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

Audrey stepped closer, her hand resting gently on his arm. "You don't have to pretend with me, Bode. I can tell something's bothering you."

He looked into her eyes, the sincerity in her voice making it harder to keep up the façade. "It's just... seeing Gabriella again. It brought up a lot of stuff I thought I'd moved past."

Audrey nodded, understanding in her eyes. "I get it. It's hard to see someone you care about with someone else. But don't forget... you deserve to be happy too."

Bode sighed, his emotions swirling inside him. He knew she was right, but it was easier said than done. The truth was, he didn't know how to let go of Gabriella, how to move on completely. And yet, standing here with Audrey, he felt something different—something that was real and tangible, something that could help him heal.

In a sudden, impulsive movement, Bode pulled Audrey close, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate, hungry kiss. He needed to feel something other than the pain, to lose himself in the warmth of her embrace. Audrey responded instantly, her arms wrapping around his neck as she deepened the kiss, her body pressed tightly against his.

Bode's hands roamed over her back, pulling her even closer, feeling the heat between them rise. In that moment, all thoughts of Gabriella faded away, replaced by the intensity of his connection with Audrey. He guided her toward the bedroom, their lips never breaking contact as they stumbled inside.

They fell onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and passion. Bode's hands moved with urgency, sliding under Audrey's shirt, feeling the smooth skin beneath. She moaned softly against his lips, her fingers threading through his hair as she tugged him closer.

With each touch, each kiss, the outside world faded away, leaving only the two of them in their shared moment of need. Bode wanted to lose himself in her, to forget everything else and just feel. Audrey's hands were just as eager, exploring his body with a mix of tenderness and desire that sent shivers down his spine.

Their clothes were discarded in a blur of motion, and soon they were skin to skin, the heat between them palpable. Bode's breath hitched as Audrey's hands traced the contours of his chest, her lips following the path of her fingers. She was beautiful, stunning in every way, and in that moment, she was all that mattered.

As they moved together, the intensity of their connection deepened. Bode felt the weight of his emotions lift, replaced by the warmth and closeness of being with Audrey. She was everything he needed in that moment—comfort, passion, and a reminder that there was still something good in his life.

When they finally collapsed together, spent and breathless, Bode held Audrey close, feeling the rise and fall of her chest against his. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, grateful for the solace she had given him, for the way she made him forget, even if just for a little while.

Audrey snuggled closer, her head resting on his chest. "I'm here for you, Bode. Whatever you need."

Bode closed his eyes, letting her words wash over him. He knew he was lucky to have her, that she was offering him something real and true. But as much as he wanted to hold on to this moment, he couldn't shake the lingering thoughts of Gabriella, the what-ifs that still haunted him.

He tightened his hold on Audrey, willing himself to stay in the present, to focus on what he had with her. For now, that was enough.