The area was now draped in shadows, with only quiet echoes of distant voices and the occasional passing car breaking the quiet of the night.
Dorian and Delphine made their way to Dorian's boat again, navigating the dock carefully.
The wooden planks creaked softly under their footsteps.
The only illumination came from the soft glow of the boat's cabin lights, casting a warm glow onto the dock.
With their pizza boxes in Dorian's hand, they stepped onto the boat.
Delphine's eyes brightened as she opened her box, revealing a classic Capricciosa pizza adorned with toppings of ham, mushrooms, and olives.
It had always been her favourite and Dorian knew that.
It never failed to satisfy her palate.
Dorian's pizza was a spicy Diavola pizza, adorned with spicy pepperoni slices.
As they settled down for dinner, the silence between them hung heavy in the air.
The boat's lights created an intimate and mystical environment.
The crackling sound of the pizza crusts breaking echoed through the quiet evening.
There was a comfortable familiarity in their silence.
The only thing that they cared about was spending some time together like they used to do.
Dorian and Delphine found solace in each other's presence.
"Wait, I'm going to get some drinks" Ethan said breaking the silence.
He walked away to the cabin of the boat and Delphine looked at him.
He handled an envelope and quickly returned with two cold drinks.
Dorian finally felt that she hadn't changed and she was still his best friend.
The discussion with Dorian at the party had left Delphine feeling lost and disconnected, questioning the future of their friendship.
But now, as they sat side by side, Delphine couldn't hold back her emotions any longer.
As they were finished their pizzas and drinks, Delphine decided to speak up.
"Dorian" she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and longing. "I missed you so much."
Her words hung in the air, a delicate admission of her deepest feelings.
Dorian turned to face her, his eyes searching hers for sincerity.
The flickering light from the boat's lights danced across his face.
"I missed you too" Dorian finally replied, his voice filled with both regret and relief. "I never wanted things to change between us."
A wave of relief washed over Delphine, her tense muscles gradually relaxing.
In that moment, she realized that their argument, though painful, didn't ruin their friendship.
After that, they had both needed time to understand the importance of the other and to miss each other.
Leaning closer to Dorian, Delphine rested her head against his shoulder, finding solace in his familiar warmth.
The soft lapping of water against the sides of the boat provided a gentle soundtrack to their quiet embrace.
"Now" she said, "everything feels right again. We are stronger than any argument."
Dorian's arm wrapped protectively around her, a silent affirmation of their renewed bond.
They sat in peaceful contemplation, their gaze fixated on the vast expanse of the night sky.
Delphine's eyelids grew heavy, weighed down by the emotional rollercoaster of the day, and she slowly started falling asleep.
It was not uncommon for Delphine to fall asleep on the boat under the starry summer sky while she was with Dorian.
Dorian knew that it must have been a hard day for her and he didn't want to wake her up to go back home.
He smoked another cigarette and then decided not to do it.
As she slept, Dorian carefully cradled her in his arms, his movements gentle and loving.
He carried her to the cozy cabin of the boat, laying her down on the comfortable bed.
The moonlight streamed through the small window, casting a soft glow on Delphine's peaceful face.
Dorian hesitated for a moment, watching her sleep, before he left the cabin.
Knowing that, finally, she was calm gave him peace.
As the first rays of the morning sun crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, Delphine slowly stirred from her peaceful sleep.
She stretched her limbs, relishing in the comfort of the bed, before she realized that she wasn't in her own bed.
A sense of confusion disorientation settled in as she remembered falling asleep on the boat.
Then she untangled herself from the covers and made her way towards the cabin's door.
As she stepped outside, she was greeted by a scene that took her breath away.
It was still dawn, the sea was calm and there was a light wind that anticipated the heat that would arrive later.
There, standing near the edge of the boat, was Dorian, his silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun.
A thin wisp of smoke curled upwards from his hand as he held a half-smoked cigarette.
The lights of the sunrise danced in brown eyes.
Delphine approached him slowly, savoring the beauty of the moment before breaking the tranquility with her voice.
"So... I just fell asleep like this" she said, giggling.
Dorian turned to face her, his eyes tender and filled with warmth.
"Yes, you did. How did you sleep?" he asked.
"Very good, I guess" she replied. Then she asked "Did you take me to bed last night?" her tone laced with a hint of playfulness.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he nodded, exhaling a trail of smoke.
"Yes, I did" he replied, his voice carrying a blend of affection and reassurance. "I wanted to make sure you were comfortable and at peace after everything. And I didn't want to wake you up."
Delphine's heart swelled with gratitude, knowing that his actions spoke volumes about his love and care for her.
She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
"Thank you, Dori" she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and leaning his cheek against his.
Dorian's embrace tightened around her, his touch comforting and secure.
Then, Delphine suddenly remembered that she didn't tell her mother that she wouldn't sleep at home.
"Oh, wait!" she exclaimed, pulling her arms away from the embrace.
With a sense of urgency, she grabbed her phone and sent a message.
She knew that her mother had already assumed that she was sleeping there, but she didn't want to make her worried.
"Good morning mom! I fell asleep on the boat. We'll come together before lunchtime. Kisses." she quickly typed.
Dorian smiled and gently asked "What would you like for breakfast?"
They decided to go to the nearest cafeteria, where office employees and other workers ate breakfast every morning before going to work.
Dorian drove through the bustling streets on his motorcycle and the aroma of coffee and the lively chatter of people in the street guided them to a charming café nestled on a quaint corner.
The café's exterior boasted a rustic charm, with ivy vines cascading down its brick walls, and a small outdoor seating area.
Entering the café, Delphine and Dorian were greeted by the comforting scent of freshly ground coffee beans and the melodic hum of conversation.
The café already buzzed with activity, as people always gathered there before beginning their day.
The aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted from the display, tempting Delphine and Dorian.
They decided to sit at a table by the large window, allowing the soft morning light to bathe their surroundings.
They often ate breakfast there when a teacher was absent from school and they were allowed in an hour later.
They placed their order, opting for cappuccinos, two pistachio croissants and an assortment of pastries.
During breakfast, they talked about everything like they always used to and their laughter filling the air.
They shared jokes, talked about their classmates and teachers, about the holidays and Delphine kept laughing at Dorian's jokes.
After breakfast, they decided to walk together for a while before it was too hot to walk on the street.
Eventually, they reached the spot where Dorian had parked his motorcycle.
Mounting the motorcycle, Delphine wrapped her arms around Dorian's waist.
It was time to go home and Delphine wanted to be there with Dorian before lunchtime.
Arriving at Delphine's home, they dismounted the motorcycle, their smiles lingering from the exhilarating journey.
Delphine's mother stood at the doorstep, her eyes filled with warmth and curiosity as she welcomed them inside.
She knew how to recognize the sound of Dorian's motorcycle.
Everything seemed normal, and Delphine knew that it was going to be one of the usual lunches where there were just the three of them eating, talking, laughing and joking.
After a while Dorian and Delphine helped their mother to set the table, although Helena didn't want the guests to help.
But this time they had arrived early and had insisted enough.
Lunch began as usual; however, Delphine's mother, decided to make a remark to show that she understood that something changed between Dorian and Delphine.
A knowing smile tugged at her lips as she gently remarked "You two seem to be spending even more time together than usual."