Daniel's POV
"Okay, so where are we going next?" she asked as we stepped out of the restaurant and strolled down the lane.
The afternoon sun cast a golden haze over the street. People were sparse, the city quieter, almost as if it wanted to give us this moment. I didn't want the day to end. Being with her laughing, talking, just existing side by side was effortless. Addicting.
"There's a nice shopping mall around the corner," I said, pointing to my right. "Maxwell once took his fiancée there that's how I know the place."
Priscilla grinned, clapping her hands like a child. "Okay, shopping, here we go!"
We walked into the mall. From the outside it looked small, unimpressive, but inside it opened up spacious, polished, and lined with elegant displays of women's clothes.
"Wow," she breathed. "This is beautiful. It looked ordinary from the outside."
I winked. "Well, the wealthy don't drip their wealth."
She laughed, and the sound wrapped around me like sunlight.
I grinned mischievously. "Hope you don't mind if I pick something I like for you and buy it."
She shook her head quickly. "Daniel, you don't have to -"
"It's my decision," I cut in with a wink.
We wandered through the racks until she stopped, holding up a blue gown against herself. "I like this. Let me check it out."
I studied it critically, then took it gently from her hand. "This'll be slightly big on you. Try this instead." I handed her a deep purple gown.
"Daniel…" she started, but I nudged her toward the fitting rooms. "Go."
Minutes later, she stepped out, the purple gown flowing perfectly against her frame. My grin widened before I could stop it. "I like it. You should take it."
She twirled, laughing, and I knew then I'd buy anything just to see her smile like that again.
Outfit after outfit followed until we had a pile. When we reached the cashier, she reached for her card but I was faster.
"Daniel, no!" she gasped.
"We agreed," I said, shrugging as I paid. "When I see something I want you to have, I'll buy it."
Her jaw dropped. "That's why you picked everything you tricked me!"
I winked. "My win."
She pouted, and my laugh came before I could stop it. "Don't pout, love. Let me do this."
The word slipped out, love. I hadn't planned it, but her startled expression told me she'd heard it. For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of us, and I felt the weight of what I wasn't ready to confess.
After dropping the bags in the car, we headed to the game station. The place buzzed with life kids shrieking, teenagers battling it out, couples competing like the world depended on it.
"Have you been here before?" she asked.
"Yeah, with David and our friends."
We started with the PlayStation booths. She laughed so hard when she lost, then laughed harder when she won. Her joy was contagious I couldn't stop laughing either. When she shoved my controller mid-game, squealing with victory, I caught her around the waist, holding her close while still trying to play.
"Now you know how it feels to be cheated!" I laughed, breathless.
"Daniel!" she shrieked, struggling in my arms, and I ignored her, savoring the chaos.
When I finally let go, I was smug. "Now who won?"
Her eyes flickered toward the water gun section, and I knew I was in trouble. Seconds later, I was drenched, running for cover as she chased me down. The battle spiraled splashing, laughing, dodging until we were both soaked and breathless.
Near the end, she tackled me, straddling me with a triumphant grin as she pointed her water gun straight at my chest.
"This position," I said between laughs, raising my hands in surrender "is extremely convenient."
She blushed, giggling. "Come on, Daniel!"
"What? I'm a man; I won't lie."
The words hung heavier than the moment allowed, so I masked it with another grin. She shook her head, laughing, but her flushed cheeks told me I wasn't the only one aware of the tension.
We left drenched and ridiculous, yet somehow perfect. As we stepped out to the car, our laughter still lingering, I realized the fun hadn't dimmed it had deepened into something else.
On the drive back, I grew quieter, lost in thought. Her hair was messy from the games, her cheeks still flushed, her eyes sparkling even under the dim city lights. Every laugh, every glance, and every second had etched something into me I couldn't ignore.
"You're quiet," she said, tilting her head.
"Just… thinking. Today's been fun."
"It has," she said softly, and I felt the weight behind her words.
I drove quietly until I reached the front of her hotel.
She smiled. "It's too early to retire for the night."
I glanced outside at the moon shining brightly against the dark sky. I knew she wasn't talking about the night outside, so I turned to her and nodded.
"Do you still have something you want to do?"
Her smile widened. "Can we take a walk? Is it safe to leave your car here?"
I nodded. "Yes, it's safe. Let's walk."
I parked a short distance from the hotel, somewhere I could keep an eye on the car, and we set off on foot.
The city was still awake. Lights flickered from buildings and streetlamps, casting warm golden glows across her face as we walked.
Then, suddenly, she stopped.
"Hey, look! Ladies dancing!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I want to join them."
I looked at her and laughed softly.
Who could ever say no to that smile?
"Okay," I said. "Let's go."
She ran toward the group, and I stayed with the onlookers, watching her. Every step, every laugh, every twirl pulled at something in me. She was radiant, alive in a way that made everything else blur. For a dangerous moment, I imagined telling her the truth that I was in love with her. But then the thought of David cut through. She liked him. He liked her. I couldn't come between them.
When she stumbled through a step, I laughed, and the warmth in my chest nearly undid me. She noticed, walked over, and circled me.
"Want to dance?" she asked.
I shook my head, but she didn't listen. She pulled me into the circle, and soon the music and laughter swept me up.
Eventually, we slipped away, ending up by a waterfall. The sound of the cascade filled the air as we stood together in silence.
"Thank you for today, Daniel," she said quietly, her mood softer now.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing. I just… I'm grateful. You spent the whole day with me, not complaining, just having fun. I know you're a busy man."
I smiled, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "No thank you. You made me laugh more today than I have in a long time."
Her answering smile stirred something deep in me. I took her hand, tugging her toward the water.
"Daniel!" she squealed. "We'll get soaked!"
"We're already wet," I said, laughing as I twirled her.
We danced under the waterfall, clothes plastered to our skin, laughter echoing. And for a suspended moment, it was just us the world forgotten. I held her close, our eyes locking. My lips ached to close the space, but reason screamed louder. She could be David's.
My chest tightened as I stepped back, taking her hand instead.
The moment faded and we went back to where the car was parked silently. I helped carry her shopping bags and we walked to her hotel.
"So… when do you leave?" I asked as we got to the front of her hotel.
"Tomorrow morning. Flight's at eleven. Can you and David see me off at L.A.?"
"It'll be our pleasure."
She sighed softly. "I should go in now."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I don't feel like leaving," she admitted. "I may not see this city or you guys again."
I forced a smile. "Hey, trust God. We met in the most unexpected way. I don't think this is the end of the three of us."
Her smile returned, tender and fleeting. She nodded and turned toward the hotel doors, but turned back once again and said. "Thank you for today. For everything, Daniel."
"You're welcome. See you tomorrow," I said, watching her disappear into the hotel.
I returned to my car, and sat there longer than I should have, chest heavy with all the words I couldn't say. Eventually, I drove off, but her laughter, her chaos, her dance under the waterfall stayed with me. A day etched into me forever.