It’s Dana.
“Hey,” she says with a smile. “Are you guys ready? I thought we could all leave at the same time... you know, so we arrive together and don’t have to wait for each other.”
“Yeah, that makes sense. We’re just about ready,” I say, glancing up the stairs. “Maria? Leon? Let’s go!”
“We’re coming!” Maria calls back.
I turn to Dana. “We’ll be out in a sec.”
Dana’s eyes flick over me, and for a moment, she freezes.
“What?” I ask, unsure.
She opens her mouth to say something, “You look…” but she doesn’t finish it. Instead, she blinks and takes a step back, suddenly quiet.
I watch her carefully, my stomach twisting with unease.
“Dana?” I call, stepping out slightly. But she’s already turning toward the car.
We got into our car, and they got into theirs. Two vehicles, one destination. The drive was quiet but warm, filled with city lights and the soft hum of anticipation. When we arrived, the restaurant was everything I had imagined and more. Elegant, refined, with soft lighting that m
