They ate in comfortable silence, the sound of their forks against the plates filling the space between them. The air felt lighter, and Zinnia didn't feel the need to fill the quiet with forced small talk.
As she finished her steak, she glanced over at Samuel. He was still eating, but there was a small, content smile on his lips, as if he was savoring more than just the food. She wondered what he was thinking, what had changed in him to make him reach out like this. She wanted to ask, but she was afraid of breaking the fragile peace they had found tonight.
Instead, she said, "I haven't had steak like this in ages. It reminds me of those fancy dinners we used to have."
Samuel looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm glad," he said simply. "I wanted it to feel special."
