They stepped out of the café into the warm afternoon light, still riding the tail end of whatever ridiculous joke Sophie had cracked inside. Sophie was grinning wide, Elara was smiling softly, and even Daisy had the faintest curve to her lips.
They strolled toward the parking lot, weaving between cars. Sophie, scanning the rows, frowned.
"Wait… where's your precious ride?" she asked, her tone dripping with mock suspicion. "Don't tell me you parked it somewhere mysterious just to make an entrance."
Rex shoved his hands into his pockets, completely unfazed. "Minor problem with the car," he said casually, as if it were a weather update. "Dropped it off for repairs. Didn't want the royal chariot breaking down mid-journey."
Sophie tilted her head, lips twitching. "So you're telling me Mr. Horsepower himself can't drive his own car? What happened, did you cry when the check-engine light came on?"
Sophie crossed her arms. "For your information, my car works perfectly fine."
