THE SILENCE BREAK
The lake house felt like a dream the moment they drove away from it. Nina watched the water disappear in the side mirror, the trees blurring into green and gold. Adrian drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on her knee. Neither of them spoke. They didn't need to. The city welcomed them back with gray skies and traffic. By the time they reached Nina's apartment, the quiet intimacy of the weekend had already begun to fade. "I should go home," Adrian said, parking outside her building. "Or you could stay." He looked at her. The old Adrian would have said yes without hesitation. The new Adrian — the one who was learning to be careful — shook his head. "Not tonight. I have an early meeting." She nodded. Leaned over. Kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she said. "For the weekend
- Writer
