Finally, Eliza took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Let's head back," she said, her voice steadier now.
Vaughn nodded, and they began to walk back toward the car. The initial awkwardness of the situation slowly gave way to a more comfortable silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. As they approached the car, Vaughn opened the door for her, and she slipped inside, giving him a grateful nod.
The drive back was quiet, the tension from earlier lingering but no longer oppressive. Vaughn occasionally glanced over at Eliza, and each time he did, he found her looking out the window, her expression thoughtful. He wanted to say something, to reassure her, but he knew that she needed space to sort through her feelings.
When they finally reached Eliza's room, Vaughn turned to her. "Eliza, I want you to know that I meant what I said earlier. You really do mean a lot to me."
