The evening sky had turned a deep indigo, the stars twinkling above like scattered diamonds. The vineyard was quiet now, with only the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. The table was cleared, and Sophie and Luca sat together on the terrace, the glow of a nearby lantern casting a soft light on their faces.
Sophie leaned back in her chair, the faintest smile playing on her lips as she looked at Luca. The whole day had felt like a dream—a perfect escape from everything else. The peacefulness of the vineyard, the warmth of the food, the gentle connection they’d shared—it was all too much to take in, and yet, it felt completely real.
“I didn’t expect this,” she said, her voice soft, the words lingering in the air like a secret. “I didn’t expect any of this.”
Luca’s gaze
