Seeing her was like tasting a spoonful of cold vanilla ice cream after a burning hot day.
The autumn breeze whispered through the trees outside the Steele Complex, and everyone else disappeared into the ethos as Darren locked eyes with her, the last of the golden sun catching his hair.
A few feet away from the sidewalk, there she was.
Penelope Castle, in a pastel cardigan and a pink ribbon tying up her golden hair, stood just ahead on the steps, holding a simple lunchbox pressed to her thighs.
Her bright blue eyes lit up the moment she saw him.
Hands in pockets, Darren walked to her, that smile still hadn't left his face, and his shoulders swung happily.
Once he was close enough, the flowery scent of her perfume caught his nose, and the beautiful glint in her eyes shone in his.
"You look like you just fought ten wars," she teased gently.
"And lost at least five," Darren replied, the weariness in his tone lightened by the way his face softened when he saw her.
