Eve glanced down at her wrist and noticed the time. It was already past noon.
"It's lunchtime," she said, a reluctant smile playing on her lips.
Vincent turned toward her, his expression dropping dramatically. "Already?" His voice held a note of mock sadness. "I was hoping we could stay a little longer."
Eve couldn't help but laugh at his exaggerated pout, shaking her head slightly. "We've been here for hours, Vincent," she said, her voice light and teasing. "Lunch is waiting at the farmhouse."
Vincent sighed, looking back at the canvas. "Fine," he said, though the playfulness in his tone gave him away. "But only because I'm starving."
They gathered their things, packing away the paints and brushes and walked back to the car. Eve stole one last glance at the river. It was so peaceful here, with Vincent by her side.
Once they were settled in the car, she started the engine. The quiet hum of the vehicle filled the space.
"You know, I haven't had a day like this in forever," Vincent said, leaning back into the seat, his face illuminated by the soft afternoon light filtering through the windows. "Painting by the river, getting lost in conversation... It's nice."
Eve smiled softly, keeping her eyes on the road but listening intently. "It is nice," she agreed. "I can't remember the last time I felt this relaxed."
The conversation flowed effortlessly from there, as if they were old friends who had shared a thousand conversations before. They moved from one topic to the next, laughing about the silliest things—like the ridiculous color combinations Vincent had used in his painting or how Eve had almost fallen into the river while setting up her canvas.
Every word seemed to tumble out naturally, without thought or hesitation.
What surprised Eve most was how easy it all felt. With Vincent, she didn't have to worry about awkward pauses or strained attempts at making small talk. She didn't feel like she had to try. Everything just came naturally.
It was so different from her life with Nathan. The thought of her husband crept into her mind unbidden. In the rare times when they traveled together in the same car, for parties or events, Eve always tried to initiate a conversation, but he would respond with curt, dismissive answers. Nathan never bothered to engage, never cared to fill the gaps between them.
But here she was, with Vincent—a man she had met only yesterday—and they couldn't stop talking. She glanced at him, his profile outlined against the passing scenery outside the window, and marveled at how a complete stranger could feel more like a friend in such a short span of time.
"You ever think about how fast things can change?" His voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Eve blinked, considering his question. "All the time," she replied softly. "It's strange, isn't it? How you can know someone for years and never feel close to them... but then meet someone new and it just... clicks."
Vincent turned his head slightly, his eyes locking on hers for a moment before he smiled. "Yeah, exactly. It's like... time doesn't really matter as much as people think."
She nodded, her grip on the steering wheel tightening as she thought about Nathan again. Three years—three long, empty years she had spent with him, and yet, it still felt like he was a stranger to her. The man sitting beside her right now, this man who she had barely spent a day with, somehow knew more about her, understood her in ways Nathan never had.
"It's weird, isn't it?" Eve said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How someone you've known for so long can feel so... distant. And someone new can feel like they've been a part of your life forever."
Vincent's smile faded a little as he listened to her words. He didn't say anything at first, but the look in his eyes told her that he understood exactly what she meant.
"Yeah," he said after a pause. "I get that."
The car rolled smoothly down the road, the sound of the engine a soft hum.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pulling into the driveway, Eve parked the car. Vincent unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for the bag they'd brought from their little painting adventure. He held it as they exited the car and walked toward the farmhouse together.
The scent of something savory hit them even before they opened the door.
Eve smiled as she turned the knob and stepped inside. The rich aroma of lunch wafted through the air, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. "Smells amazing," she said.
Vincent followed behind her, setting the bag down near the entryway before he made his way toward the washroom. "I'll be right back," he said, disappearing for a moment to freshen up.
Eve took the opportunity to do the same, quickly washing away the remnants of the morning's paint and color splashes. The cool water on her skin felt refreshing, but what truly brought her joy was the thought of sharing a meal together.
Upon entering, they found the dining room was already set. Mr. Hargrove, the farmhouse's caretaker, had laid out a spread of hearty, home-cooked dishes: roasted rosemary chicken, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, and a side of penne pasta with a rich tomato basil sauce. A fresh garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette and freshly baked bread completed the meal.
Vincent paused at the sight, his brows lifting in disbelief. "Wait, how...?" His eyes darted between the plates of food and Eve. "How did you know this was my favorite dish?"
Eve couldn't help but smile at his reaction. She sat down at the table, gesturing for him to do the same before she responded. "I may or may not have stalked your Instagram last night. There was a post... a picture of this dish with a caption that made it pretty clear."
Vincent chuckled, his surprise deepening. "You stalked me?" He took his seat across from her. His lips curling into a teasing smirk. "And here I thought you didn't care."
Eve shrugged, trying to suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "It was research," she replied, her voice light and teasing. "I like to know who I'm spending my time with."
"Well, well," Vincent mused. "Consider me flattered." He glanced down at the food again, shaking his head slightly. "I've got to admit, I'm impressed. It's even better than what I remember."
They dug into their meals, the rich flavors making them both pause in appreciation. The dishes were perfectly cooked, the kind that brought back comforting memories and filled the heart just as much as the stomach.
Vincent raised a brow, savoring a bite. "Mr. Hargrove's really outdone himself."
Eve nodded in agreement. "He's been with the family for years. Always knows exactly what to cook." She took another bite, glancing at Vincent.
They continued eating, and, just like before, their conversation never seemed to stop. It was as if the food was secondary to the constant exchange of thoughts and laughter between them. No topic was off-limits.
Eve stared at the feast before them, feeling something unfamiliar stir inside her. It wasn't just the food, though it all looked mouthwatering. It was the company, the feeling of having someone beside her.
This wasn't a staged dinner at some gala event, or an obligatory anniversary meal with Nathan where the conversation was polite and hollow. This was real. The joy of sharing a meal with someone who made her feel alive.
Vincent glanced at her, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips as he watched her take it all in. "You seem... content," he noted, his voice warm and teasing as he broke a piece of the bread.
Eve nodded slowly, her eyes wandering across the dishes before meeting his gaze. "I am," she admitted, almost surprised by the depth of her own response. "I've missed this. The simple act of eating with someone."
Vincent tilted his head, curious. "You and Nathan didn't...?"
Eve let out a small sigh, shaking her head slightly. "No. Not unless it was for a special occasion. Anniversaries, gatherings, that sort of thing. Most nights, I ate alone."
There was no bitterness in her voice, just a quiet acknowledgment of the emptiness she had felt for so long. The dining table had always been a reminder of that—a wide, polished surface, always too big for one person, her only company being the silence.
But today, it was different.
"So," Eve asked, placing her fork down for a moment, "when do you head back to New York?"
Vincent hesitated briefly before answering. "In a week or so," he said casually. "It depends on some things." He paused, then added with a grin, "But if the food here keeps being this good, I might stick around longer."
Eve chuckled. "I'm sure Mr. Hargrove will be thrilled to hear that."
Vincent leaned back slightly, his expression more serious now. "What about you? When are you heading back?"
Eve thought for a moment, stirring her glass of water before answering. "Probably in a few days. It depends on... everything, I guess." She avoided saying Nathan's name.
"How's your job going?" His tone was casual, but the question seemed to carry more weight than it appeared.
Eve exhaled softly, leaning back in her chair. "It's... fine," she said, though the uncertainty in her voice was evident. "I mean, it's what I always thought I wanted. But lately, I've been feeling..." She trailed off, searching for the right words. "I don't know. Disconnected, maybe."
His gaze softened. "Disconnected?"
"Yeah," she admitted, her eyes drifting toward the window. "I worked so hard to get where I am, but now that I'm here... I don't know. It's not what I thought it would be."
Vincent studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I get that," he said quietly. "Sometimes, the things we chase for so long don't feel as fulfilling when we finally catch them."
Eve looked at him, surprised by how much his words resonated. "Exactly. It's like... you get there, and then you realize it's not what you needed after all."
They shared a brief, reflective silence. There was something about his presence that made her feel... safe, like she could let her guard down.
Eve took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned back in her chair. A quiet sigh of relief escaping her lips. This—this moment of sharing a meal, laughing, talking without the need to fill awkward silences—was what she had craved for years without even realizing it. The simple joy of not being alone.
"I never realized how much I missed this," she said softly, almost to herself. "Just... sharing a meal with someone."