As Lydia and I walked back to the hotel, the tension between us had eased. The swings had worked their magic, and the awkwardness that had hovered over us like a dark cloud was now just a fading memory. We strolled side by side, our steps in sync, and I could feel the warmth of the day's sun slowly giving way to the coolness of the evening.
When we reached the hotel, I walked Lydia to her room. The hallway was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning breaking the silence. As we stopped in front of her door, Lydia turned to me, her eyes reflecting the soft light from the sconces on the walls.
"I had a great time, and I hope we can spend more time together in the future," she said, her voice sincere and hopeful.
"Me too," I replied, my heart skipping a beat. I meant it. Despite the rocky start, I truly enjoyed her company.
I started to walk away, but Lydia's voice stopped me. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
