The hustle of the city had quieted as the night deepened. Lila and Ethan walked side by side, the rhythm of their steps uneven but comfortable. The crisp air carried a faint hint of rain, and the distant glow of neon signs gave the world an almost dreamlike quality. For once, neither of them had anywhere to be, and the absence of pressure was disarming.
"So," Ethan began, breaking the silence, "we've done the whole save-the-company-together thing. What's next? Defuse a bomb? Rescue a kitten from a tree?"
Lila smirked. "I think we've earned a quiet night without life-or-death stakes."
Ethan chuckled. "I'm not sure I'd know what to do with one of those anymore."
They stopped at a corner where a food truck was parked, its warm lights casting a cozy glow. The scent of tacos and churros wafted toward them, and Ethan's stomach rumbled audibly.
"Dinner?" he asked, already heading toward the truck.
Lila hesitated. "Street food?"
"Don't knock it 'til you try it," he said, grinning. "Come on, CEO of the Year. Let's live a little."
---
Minutes later, they were seated on a bench, balancing paper trays of tacos and churros. Lila's tailored coat and polished demeanor looked hilariously out of place in the casual setting, but Ethan couldn't help but admire how effortlessly she adapted.
"So," she said between bites, "you really ate like this every day when you were delivering food?"
"Pretty much," Ethan admitted. "When you're on the clock all the time, you grab whatever you can. It wasn't glamorous, but it got me through."
She studied him for a moment. "Do you miss it? The simplicity?"
He paused, considering her question. "Sometimes. Life was a lot less complicated back then. No boardrooms, no investors, no pressure to impress anyone. But it also felt… stuck, you know? Like I was spinning my wheels, waiting for something to change."
Lila nodded, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "And now?"
"Now," he said, meeting her gaze, "I feel like I'm actually going somewhere. Thanks to you."
She looked away, her expression unreadable. "You've done a lot for yourself, Ethan. Don't give me all the credit."
"But I wouldn't have had the chance if you hadn't seen something in me," he countered. "Even if it took you a while to admit it."
Lila's lips curved into a small smile. "Fair point."
---
As they walked back toward her car, Ethan glanced at her, curiosity getting the better of him. "What about you? You ever miss anything from the 'old days,' before you were running the show?"
Lila's steps slowed, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought. "Sometimes. Back then, there was less to lose. Fewer people depending on me. I could take risks without worrying about the consequences."
"Like what?"
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Once, in college, I skipped a week of classes to go backpacking in the mountains with some friends. No plan, no cell service, just… freedom."
Ethan's eyebrows shot up. "You? Miss Perfectionist skipped classes?"
"Don't get used to it," she said, her tone wry. "It was a one-time thing."
He laughed. "I don't know if I believe that."
They fell into a comfortable silence again, the city humming softly around them.
---
When they reached her car, Lila unlocked it and turned to face him. "Thanks for tonight. I needed this."
"Anytime," Ethan said, his voice warm. "I think we both did."
She hesitated, as if debating whether to say something more. Finally, she spoke. "Ethan, I know I'm not the easiest person to be around sometimes. And I know I push too hard, expect too much. But… I'm glad you're here. With me."
He stepped closer, his expression softening. "Lila, you don't have to apologize for who you are. You push because you care. And honestly? That's one of the things I admire most about you."
Her eyes searched his, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. The tension between them, no longer fraught with uncertainty, felt like a quiet promise—a shared understanding of everything they'd been through and everything that lay ahead.
"I should go," she said finally, her voice soft.
Ethan nodded, stepping back. "Goodnight, Lila."
As she drove away, Ethan stood on the sidewalk, the faint taste of tacos and the memory of her smile lingering. It wasn't the dramatic end to the night he might have imagined, but it was real—and for now, that was more than enough.