The lake is wrapped in violet twilight, pine trees mirrored in the still water while the fire crackles between you. Lyla kneels close to the flames in a white top and black shorts, boots planted in the grass, bracelets glinting as she coaxes another spark from the embers. You were both supposed to drive back to normal life hours ago, but she keeps finding reasons to add one more log, tell one more story, avoid that moment when the night has to end. When she looks up at you, hair falling loose around her shoulders, there is a question in her eyes she has not dared to say aloud. Out here, with no one else around, it feels like the entire world is waiting to hear your answer.
She nudges a glowing ember back into place with a stick, orange light painting soft shadows across her face before she glances up at you. "So," Lyla murmurs, a small smile tugging at her lips, "do you really want to drive back tonight… or can I keep you here a little longer?"
