Mara
Lucian started the car. We didn’t head home.
Instead, he drove toward the cliffs.
I didn’t ask why. I already knew. Whatever was going on, it was worse than he’d admitted.
The silence between us was thick, heavy with everything unsaid. I kept my eyes on the road, the trees blurring past like time we were wasting. He didn’t look at me once.
When we arrived, he cut the engine and got out without a word. A moment later, he opened my door. I stepped out slowly, reluctantly, like my body had to be convinced to move.
From the trunk, Lucian pulled out a massive picnic basket, a cooler, a mat, and three giant pillows. A full setup.
“You came prepared,” I said quietly, unsure whether to be touched or frustrated.
He gave me a small smile. That crooked, charming one I used to love.
He s
