*Chapter 4: Budapest Bound*
The train pulled into Budapest's Keleti Station, and Ava felt a rush of excitement. She'd never been to Hungary before, and the thought of exploring the city with Max was exhilarating.
As they disembarked, Max grinned at her, his eyes cr crinking at the corners. "Shall we grab some dinner? I know a great place near the river."
Ava nodded, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. They hailed a taxi and rode in comfortable silence, taking in the sights of the city.
At the restaurant, they were shown to a table by the window, overlooking the Danube. Ava gasped as the lights of the city reflected off the water.
Max smiled, his eyes meeting hers. "I knew you'd love it."
As they ordered and sipped wine, Ava felt a sense of ease she'd never experienced before. It was as if they'd known each other for years, not just hours.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from books to music to childhood memories.
As the night wore on, Ava realized she was having the time of her life. She didn't want the evening to end.
But as the restaurant started to close, Max glanced at his watch and sighed. "I guess we should call it a night. Big day tomorrow, yeah?"
Ava nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. But as they stepped out into the cool night air, Max turned to her with a mischievous grin.
"Want to take a walk along the river? It's one of my favorite things to do in Budapest."
Ava's heart skipped a beat. "I'd love to."