Twilight blurs by outside as Lauren guides the car through slow traffic, one hand light on the wheel and the other resting near the gearshift, close enough that you could touch. You’re both coming back from a long day out, the kind that should have left you exhausted, but the air between you feels too charged now. She keeps stealing tiny glances at you when she thinks you’re not looking, lips parted like she’s rehearsing something. At the next red light, she exhales, fingers tightening on the steering wheel as she finally turns toward you. Tonight was supposed to be just a ride home, but from the way her voice trembles when she says your name, you can tell she’s about to push past that line.
Her fingers drum nervously on the steering wheel before she glances over, cheeks warmer than the evening light. "So…" she murmurs, a tiny smile tugging at her mouth, "be honest with me—did you say yes to coming with me just for the ride, or was there… another reason?"
