Vanessa, of course, smirked knowingly but didn't say a word.
Marianne straightened, placing her hands on her hips. "So, how was the outing?"
Vanessa stretched her arms over her head. "It was fun."
Ethan expected her to say more, but she didn't.
Marianne's brows lifted slightly, as if she was expecting a lot more than that.
"Just fun?" she asked, glancing between them.
Vanessa gave an innocent shrug. "What else am I supposed to say?"
Ethan hid his smirk as he reached for his utensils.
He had known Vanessa long enough to recognize that she was purposely leaving things vague, just to ss with Marianne.
Marianne sighed dramatically. "I swear you two are so difficult sotis."
Ethan chuckled and leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. It was sothing he always did when she brought him food — a silent gesture of appreciation.
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Then I should stop doing it," Ethan mused.
Marianne scoffed. "Don't you dare."
With that, she finally left them alone, retreating back to wherever she had co from.
Vanessa snickered before reaching for the remote.
Ethan took a bite of his food. "Marianne seems interested in what we did today."
"Yeah," Vanessa said, flipping through the channels. "And she's so nosy. I bet she's waiting for to tell her everything."
Ethan smirked. "You gonna?"
Vanessa clicked her tongue. "Maybe. Maybe not."
Ethan just shook his head.
She finally settled on a channel — a movie was playing, but neither of them really paid much attention.
They ate in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the occasional clink of utensils against the plates and the low hum of the television in the background.
After a while, Vanessa stretched her legs out and leaned back into the couch.
"By the way," she said casually, "who was calling you earlier?"
Ethan's chewing slowed slightly. He knew she'd ask at so point.
He debated for a second how much he should tell her.
After a brief pause, he finally answered, "Just soone from the site."
Vanessa turned her head toward him, brows raised slightly. "Mmm. Work stuff?"
"Yeah."
She studied his face for a second before shrugging and looking back at the TV.
Ethan exhaled quietly. He wasn't sure if she believed him or if she just didn't care enough to press further, but either way, he was grateful she dropped the subject.
It was hard to stay tense when Vanessa was sprawled next to him, absentmindedly playing with a strand of her hair while flipping through the channels again.
At so point, she pulled her knees up onto the couch and turned her body toward him.
"Hey," she said suddenly.
Ethan looked up from his plate. "What?"
She tapped her chin. "You really didn't have another surprise planned?"
Ethan exhaled a short laugh. "Why are you still stuck on that?"
"Because!" Vanessa huffed. "You were on a roll today. First the museum, then the track. I figured there'd be one more thing."
Ethan smirked. "Sorry to disappoint."
Vanessa made a face but didn't argue further. Instead, she leaned back, eyes flicking toward the screen again.
Ethan took another bite of food, watching her out of the corner of his eye.
She looked... content.
It was a rare expression for her. Vanessa was always so energetic, always chasing the next big thing. But right now, she just seed relaxed. Comfortable.
For so reason, that made sothing in Ethan's chest feel a little lighter.
He shook his head, amused at himself.
He was thinking too much again.
Riley walked in silence, her boots clicking softly against the pavent.
The streetlights cast long shadows over the sidewalk, stretching and bending as she moved.
There were still people out — workers heading ho, couples strolling under the city lights, the occasional laughter of friends spilling out of a café — but none of it registered in her mind.
Her hands gripped the strap of her bag tightly.
She hated this feeling.
It clung to her, weighing her down, making her chest feel tight.
It wasn't like she hadn't spent evenings alone before.
She lived alone, after all.
But tonight was different. Tonight, she felt... hollow. Like sothing was missing.
And she knew exactly what it was.
Ethan.
She scoffed at herself, shaking her head as she approached the curb.
'God, get a grip, Riley.'
She had never been the type to get attached, to let her emotions dictate her mood. And yet, all day, she had been waiting.
Hoping. Expecting to see him at the site like usual.
But he hadn't co.
And the worst part? She had called him.
She hadn't even realized she was doing it at first — her fingers had moved on their own. And when he picked up, his voice was casual, indifferent.
"I've got so stuff to deal with, but I'll be there tomorrow."
That was it.
Just a simple, straightforward answer. Nothing wrong with it. Nothing rude.
And yet, it had hit her like a punch to the gut.
She let out a slow breath, rubbing her temple as she raised her hand for a taxi.
One pulled up, its headlights cutting through the night. She stepped inside without hesitation, the familiar scent of leather and faint air freshener greeting her.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
She gave him the address of her apartnt, her voice quieter than usual. The man nodded and pulled into the street, the hum of the engine blending with the distant sounds of the city.
She leaned back against the seat, staring out of the window.
The buildings blurred past, neon signs flickering in the distance.
People rushed along the sidewalks, lost in their own worlds, oblivious to the storm brewing in her chest.
She shouldn't feel this way.
It was stupid. So stupid.
But she couldn't shake it off.
Her mind replayed the past few days over and over — the way Ethan had helped at the site, the way he had teased her during lunch, the way he had just been there.
And now he wasn't.
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of her apartnt complex. Riley pulled out so cash, handing it to the driver before stepping out.
The building lood above her, dark windows reflecting the city's glow. She exhaled softly, pushing open the front door and walking into the quiet lobby.
The air was cool, the soft hum of classical music playing from unseen speakers. She barely acknowledged the receptionist before heading toward the elevator.
She pressed the button for her floor and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a mont as the elevator doors slid shut.
Seconds later, she was ho.
She unlocked the door, stepped inside, and let her bag slip from her shoulder onto the floor.
Her boots were kicked off without care, and she barely made it to the bed before collapsing onto the mattress.
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