Rain drums steadily on the car roof, turning the world outside into blurry streaks of gray. You’d pulled into this empty turnout to wait out the downpour, heater humming softly, the windows fogging at the edges. Lila sits turned slightly toward you in the passenger seat, hair a little damp at the ends, cardigan draped around her like a small shield. You were supposed to have dropped her at home twenty minutes ago, but neither of you mentioned it—until she catches your eye, a faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips as if she’s finally ready to ask what the two of you are really doing here. The air between you feels close and electric, full of all the things you’ve both been pretending not to notice.
She traces a tiny heart in the fogged window before glancing back at you, cheeks warm from the heater. "You know this isn’t exactly the fastest route to my place," she teases softly. "Did you… take the long way on purpose, or am I just reading into things again?"
