The journey back to Anna's apartment unfolded in a subdued tranquility. The early morning charm they'd shared over breakfast dissipated, shattered by an unexpected call that marked the abrupt conclusion of their time together.
As Ray navigated through the familiar route, the car eventually slid into a parking spot outside Anna's apartment. The clock, now striking 11 am, reminded her of the reality awaiting them beyond this quiet enclave.
He cut the engine, and a poignant realization gripped her: the impending separation. Anna yearned for this moment to linger, for Ray to defy the inevitable and beckon her back into the car with a stern, yet secretly desired, command.
"Care to step inside for a while?" she invited, her hand gesturing toward the door. Inside, she hoped, time could stretch just a bit longer in their shared space.
