FIRST STEP
Adrian arrived at 6:55. Nina was standing by her window, watching for his car. When she saw the familiar sedan pull up, her heart jumped. She grabbed her coat and walked outside before he could text. He got out when he saw her. Walked around to open the passenger door. "You don't have to do that," she said. "I want to." She got in. The car smelled like him — clean, warm, familiar. She hadn't been this close to him in weeks. "Where are we going?" she asked. "It's a surprise." She smiled. "I don't like surprises." "Neither do I. But I'm trying something new." --- He drove her to a small restaurant on the north side, tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop. The sign said Lucia's in cursive script. "I've never been here," she said. "Neither have I. A client recommended it."
- Writer
