For the first time in days, the tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away, replaced by genuine enjoyment.
Lisa watched as Canary took another bite, his expression softening with each taste. For the first time since Alexander's death, a genuine smile crossed his face.
Seeing this, Lisa couldn't help but smile herself. "It's nice to see you like this," she said gently.
Canary paused, setting his fork down. "Like what?"
"Relaxed," she replied. "Smiling. I was starting to think you'd forgotten how."
He looked at her, his gaze softening. "It's been a tough few days. But… thank you for this. I needed it more than I realized."
Lisa nodded, her smile never fading. "That's what friends are for, right?"
He didn't reply immediately, but his eyes lingered on her, gratitude and something deeper flickering within them.
By the time Lisa and Canary finished their meal, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the streets bathed in the warm glow of streetlights.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, a cool breeze swept past them.
"It's a beautiful night," Lisa remarked, glancing up at the starlit sky.
"Perfect for a walk," Canary replied, slipping his hands into his pockets.
They strolled along the quiet streets, their conversation flowing easily.
Lisa talked about her childhood and her favorite spots in the city, while Canary shared stories from his travels and work.
For a moment, the weight of the past few days seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of calm between them.
Lisa chuckled at one of Canary's rare jokes. "You're full of surprises tonight."
"Guess you bring out a different side of me," he said, his tone lighter than before.
As they walked, their steps slowed, and the silence between them grew comfortable, the kind that needed no words.
As they walked, a comfortable silence settled between them, the faint hum of the city in the background.
Canary slowed his steps, then stopped, gently touching Lisa's arm to make her turn toward him.
She looked up, curious. "What is it?"
He hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Thank you… for tonight. I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Lisa's expression softened. "You don't have to thank me, Canary. I just wanted you to feel a little better."
"I do," he admitted, his gaze steady. "More than I expected. And that's because of you."
Lisa smiled, her cheeks warming under his gaze. "I'm glad I could help."
For a brief moment, the world around them seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them standing under the quiet night.
Canary smiled at Lisa, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes.
There was a quiet moment between them, filled with unspoken understanding and something deeper.
Without thinking, he reached out and gently cupped her face, pulling her slightly closer.
Lisa's breath caught, her heart racing as she realized what was happening.
Before she could say anything, Canary leaned in and kissed her, his lips brushing hers softly at first.
The kiss was brief, but it lingered, the warmth of it filling the space between them.
When they pulled apart, both of them were silent for a moment, a mix of surprise and something more in the air.
Canary looked at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've missed this for a while now."
Lisa's heart pounded in her chest, but she smiled, her eyes searching his. "Me too."
They both laughed at each other and then went back to the car.
Here's the continuation:
Canary drove Lisa back to her home in silence, the night still lingering in the air between them. As they reached her building, he pulled up to the curb and turned to face her.
"Thank you again," he said, his voice softer now. "For everything."
Lisa smiled, her eyes warm as she looked at him. "It was my pleasure."
Canary reached over and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before leaning in to kiss her forehead, his lips lingering for a brief moment.
" You're welcome here anytime," he whispered.
Lisa's heart fluttered at the tenderness in his gesture. "Goodnight, Canary."
He smiled, his eyes filled with affection. "Goodnight, Lisa."
As she stepped out of the car and into her building, she turned to glance back at him one last time. Canary gave her a small wave before driving off, the night feeling just a little bit lighter for both of them.
Here's the revised scene:
That evening, Joel returned home earlier than usual, and Lucy, sensing a shift in the air, decided it was time for a talk. As he walked into the living room, she called out, her voice calm but firm.
"Joel, can we talk?"
He paused, sensing the weight in her tone, and nodded. "Sure, what's going on?"
Lucy gestured for him to sit beside her. "I want to know your thoughts on the presidency matter at Andersons Group. Are you still interested in taking on that role?"
Joel tensed slightly but masked it with a casual shrug.
"I've got no problem with Canary taking the lead, if that's what everyone wants. I'm fine with whatever direction the company takes."
Lucy studied him closely, her expression softening. "I've always trusted you, Joel, but I need to know where you stand. This is important, and you've been part of the family business long enough to have a say."
Joel met her gaze, his eyes carefully neutral. "I don't need the pressure, Lucy. Canary can handle it. I'm good staying in my role."
Lucy seemed to relax, but there was still something in her eyes—a sense of unease she couldn't fully shake.
"Alright, just wanted to hear it from you."
Joel nodded, and they both fell into a quiet pause, each thinking their own thoughts about the future.
Let me know if you'd like to expand this further or move on!