Zack escorted Nia out of the boutique with a renewed sense of purpose, the tension between them diffusing into a quiet understanding. The night air was crisp as they walked toward the car, the small velvet box still clutched in Nia's hand.
As they drove, Nia glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Zack's face was calm, his grip on the wheel firm but relaxed, yet she could sense an undercurrent of something deeper. The earlier tension lingered in the air, not entirely dispelled but softened by his thoughtful gesture.
The city lights blurred past, and Nia couldn't help but break the silence. "You didn't have to go out of your way to do this, Zack. We agreed on just one meal to discuss what happened in the past" she said softly, her fingers brushing against the bracelet in her lap.
He glanced at her,"I wanted to. This was the only chance I had. You deserve more than just a simple meal, firewalls and crisis meetings."
