Author’s POV
Cary watched helplessly as Vera ascended the stairs without a backward glance, not sparing him a second thought. Regret gnawed at him once again. There was no explicit rule preventing him from heading home if he couldn't deliver the goods; he had fabricated that notion to elicit sympathy. But now that the words were out, facing the embarrassment head-on seemed insurmountable. All he could do was swallow his pride and wait in the car until darkness veiled the surroundings.
At this juncture, he realized the need to display sincerity to salvage the situation. Famished and feeling like he was on the brink of departing this beautiful world, the car window suddenly received a knock. Vera's delicate face emerged outside.
"Park the car by the side and go."
Cary hadn't anticipated
