Alex unlocked his car and walked around to the passenger side.
Lily stood beside him, adjusting the strap of her handbag on her shoulder. The evening air was cooler than it had been earlier, and the lights along the driveway had already come on, illuminating the neatly trimmed hedges beside the parking area.
"Here." Alex opened the door for her.
"Thank you."
She got in, placing her bag on her lap before reaching for the seat belt. Alex waited until she had settled before closing the door and walking around to the driver's side.
By the time he started the engine, Lily had fastened her seat belt and was looking through the windscreen.
He pulled away from the mansion, joining the road that led towards the city.
For the first few minutes, neither of them spoke.
Lily watched the passing houses and shops, occasionally glancing at her phone to check the time. She had a few messages waiting, but nothing that required an immediate response. She put the phone away and settled back into her seat.
Alex tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel. "So."
Lily turned her head. "So?"
"How's work? Still boring?"
She considered the question. "It's been fine."
Alex glanced at her. "Fine?"
"Yes."
"That's all you got ?"
"Is there a specific answer you're expecting?"
"I don't know. Something that suggests you have a pulse."
Lily looked at him for a moment before turning back towards the window.
"There's been a lot to do. The project issue has kept everyone busy, and Adrian has had several things that needed sorting out before the trip."
Alex waited.
She looked at him again. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm trying to understand how someone can make a whole week of work sound like a weather report."
"Would you prefer I gave you a presentation?"
"God, no."
"Then I don't see the problem."
Alex shook his head. "You're boring, Lily."
She gave him a small, unbothered smile. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"It's a serious concern."
"I'm sure you'll recover."
He glanced at her again, but she had already returned her attention to the window. The corner of his mouth lifted briefly.
He turned his attention to the road, leaving the conversation where it was.
Traffic had thickened as they approached the busier part of the city. Cars moved steadily through the intersections, their headlights beginning to stand out against the fading daylight.
A bus stopped ahead of them, allowing several passengers to climb aboard, and Alex eased off the accelerator.
"So, what are you eating tonight?"
Lily turned out of surprise, she had not expected the question. "I haven't decided."
Alex looked at the road ahead, his expression suggesting he had expected precisely that answer.
"We could stop somewhere."
Lily shook her head gently. "It's fine. You don't have to."
"I know I don't have to."
"Then you can just drop me off. I'll manage."
"And eat what, exactly?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it. "Alex, I'm fine."
"And I'm hungry."
She turned back to him. "You could have said that in the first place."
"I am saying it now."
Lily let out a quiet breath, looking at him with mild exasperation.
He kept his eyes on the road. "We'll get something to take away. You can eat at home, and I'll continue on my way."
"You don't need to go out of your way for me."
"It's a restaurant, Lily. Not another country."
She fell silent. "Fine."
"Perfect, sound like we have a plan."
"But I'm paying for my own food."
"Fine."
She looked at him suspiciously. "You agreed rather quickly."
"You're Lily Rhodes, it's of no use arguing."
Alex, indicated at the next junction and turned onto a road lined with restaurants, cafés, and small shops. The traffic here moved more slowly, with cars pulling in and out of parking spaces along the pavement.
Lily looked through the window as they passed the familiar storefronts. "Where are we going?"
"The Copper Table."
She nodded. She had heard of it, though she hadn't visited often.
They found a space which was just a short distance from the entrance and guided the car into it. The restaurant's sign glowed above the windows, its lettering reflected on the pavement.
Through the glass, Lily could see people seated at tables, a waiter carrying a tray between them, and a few customers waiting near the counter.
Alex shifted the car into park and switched off the engine. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Lily reached for her handbag, checking that her phone was inside before setting the bag back on her lap. She loosened her seat belt and looked towards the entrance.
"We won't be long," Alex said.
He opened his door and stepped out into the evening air. Lily watched him through the windscreen as he walked around the front of the car. He straightened his jacket, glanced briefly towards the restaurant entrance, then continued towards her side.
As Alex reached for the passenger door handle, Lily drew a deep breath.
"Here we go"