2
959 Words
The moment Aurora stepped out of Hartwell Architectural Studio, a cool breeze brushed against her face.
She closed her eyes for a brief second, savoring the feeling.
For once…
She wasn’t bringing work home.
That alone felt like the perfect birthday present.
The parking lot was unusually quiet.
Employees had mostly gone home, leaving only a handful of cars scattered across the lot.
Aurora adjusted the strap of her handbag before glancing at the time on her phone.
4:42 p.m.
“He said thirty minutes…”
She looked around.
“…He’s late.”
As if on cue…
A sleek black SUV rolled into the parking lot.
Its polished exterior reflected the afternoon sunlight as it came to a smooth stop in front of her.
The driver’s door opened.
Long legs stepped onto the pavement first.
Then came the man attached to them.
Lucas Hale.
Standing at an impressive six-foot-four, Lucas possessed the kind of appearance that naturally drew attention without him making any effort.
His dark brown hair was neatly styled, slightly tousled by the wind, while warm brown eyes rested calmly on Aurora.
A fitted black shirt stretched comfortably across his broad shoulders, the sleeves rolled to his forearms.
Dark trousers and polished shoes completed the look.
Simple.
Elegant.
Effortless.
He closed the car door before walking toward her.
“You’ve been waiting long?”
Aurora crossed her arms dramatically.
“Three whole minutes.”
Lucas nodded thoughtfully.
“My sincerest apologies.”
She tried to remain serious.
She failed.
A laugh escaped her lips.
“You sound so genuine.”
“I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I tried.”
“You really didn’t.”
The corner of his lips lifted into a faint smile.
One so small most people would have missed it.
Aurora didn’t.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“Your smile.”
“I wasn’t smiling.”
“You were.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You definitely were.”
Lucas opened the passenger door for her.
“Get in.”
She tilted her head.
“You know…”
“What?”
“One day I’ll actually win an argument against you.”
“I look forward to it.”
She laughed before climbing into the passenger seat.
The rich scent of leather filled the car.
Aurora looked around curiously.
“I still can’t believe you bought a new car.”
“I needed one.”
“Your old one was perfectly fine.”
“It was eight years old.”
“So?”
“It made strange noises.”
“It had character.”
Lucas started the engine.
“It had problems.”
She giggled.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
As they pulled out of the parking lot, comfortable silence settled between them.
It wasn’t awkward.
It never was.
Years of friendship had made silence feel just as natural as conversation.
Lucas rested one hand on the steering wheel.
“So.”
Aurora looked out the window.
“So?”
“What do you want for dinner?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know.”
“Cake?”
“Definitely.”
“Pizza?”
“Maybe.”
“Sushi?”
She made a face.
“No.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
She gasped.
“Then why ask?”
“I enjoy hearing you complain.”
“I do not complain.”
Lucas looked at her.
She looked back.
“…Often.”
“I’ll accept that.”
Aurora smiled.
“So…”
“Mm?”
“Where exactly are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
She sighed dramatically.
“You always say that.”
“It usually works.”
“It usually annoys me.”
“Same thing.”
Twenty minutes later…
The car slowed to a stop in front of one of the most luxurious fashion boutiques Aurora had ever seen.
She stared through the window.
“…Lucas.”
“Hm?”
“I think you made a wrong turn.”
“I didn’t.”
She looked back at the building.
Then at him.
Then back at the building again.
“This place looks expensive.”
“It is.”
“I’m not going in there.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No.”
“It’s your birthday.”
“You don’t have to buy me anything.”
“I know.”
“So let’s leave.”
“No.”
She groaned.
“Lucas…”
He unfastened his seat belt before turning to face her.
“I’ve watched you spend money on everyone except yourself.”
She opened her mouth.
He continued.
“You deserve one nice thing.”
She looked away.
“I already have nice things.”
“You own six identical oversized sweaters.”
“They’re different colors.”
“They’re the same sweater.”
“They have personality.”
“They have lint.”
Aurora burst into laughter.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“…You’re right.”
Lucas stepped out before walking around to open her door.
She looked at him helplessly.
“I really don’t belong in a place like this.”
Lucas met her eyes.
“You belong anywhere you choose to be.”
For some reason…
Those words settled warmly inside her chest.
She smiled.
“…Thank you.”
He simply nodded.
“Come on.”
Together…
They walked toward the boutique’s glass doors.
Neither of them noticed the sleek black Rolls-Royce slowly pulling into the reserved parking spaces across the street.
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped out.
Hidden behind dark sunglasses, his emerald-green eyes briefly swept across the entrance.
Then…
Without another glance…
He walked inside the neighboring building.
- Writer
