The drive home was slow, the city dragging itself into night like a tired beast. Nathan's hand rested casually on the wheel, thumb tapping along to the soft jazz spilling from the speakers. Selene sat in the passenger seat, her head turned toward the window, eyes tracing the lights as they streaked past.
"You're quiet," Nathan said.
"I'm just tired," she murmured.
He smiled, glancing at her. "You've earned it. That editor couldn't stop praising you."
"She liked the texture work," Selene replied. "That was Camilla's idea."
Nathan gave a low whistle. "You give Camilla too much credit. You're the vision."
She didn't argue.
The red light bathed the inside of the car in a soft glow. Nathan reached over and brushed a loose curl from her face. "You're incredible, you know that?"
Selene leaned her head against the glass. "You tell me that a lot."
"Because it's true a lot."
She gave a soft chuckle, more reflex than emotion. "You're sweet."
The light turned green. The car rolled forward.
"You know," Nathan said, "I've been thinking… maybe we should take a weekend off. Just you and me. Somewhere outside the city."
She blinked. "Now?"
"Soon. You work too hard. We both do."
She considered it. The idea of silence. Of clean air. Of not being needed for a few days.
"That doesn't sound terrible," she said.
"Doesn't sound great?" he teased.
Selene finally smiled. A real one. "Fine. It sounds great."
They pulled into the underground parking lot beneath their building. As the engine cut off, a sudden hush settled between them. Nathan reached for the brown bag on the back seat.
"Still warm," he said, handing it to her. "I picked up that tofu rice thing you like."
Selene blinked. She hadn't even remembered saying she liked it.
"Thanks," she said softly.
Nathan kissed her temple. "Come on. Let's eat. You can tell me what you're wearing to the party tomorrow."
As they stepped out of the car and walked toward the elevator, Selene kept her smile in place.
Tomorrow would be fine.
It was just a party.
Just her best friend.
Just another night.
Nothing to worry about.
Right?