As the final bites of their meal were savored, Ellen and Edrick both leaned back in their chairs, clearly satisfied. Ellen sighed contentedly, feeling pleasantly full. Edrick dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, a look of contentment on his face as he glanced over at Ellen.
"That was amazing," Ellen said, a genuine smile playing on her lips as she set down her fork.
"Agreed," Edrick replied, his voice warm. "Good company always makes the food taste better, don’t you think?"
Ellen chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. She reached for her bag just as the waiter approached with the bill. Without missing a beat, Edrick reached for it as well, but Ellen was quicker, her fingers quickly snatching the bill from the table before Edrick could get his hands on it.
"Hey!" Edrick protested, his tone playful but clearly disappointed. "You’re not supposed to beat me to it!"
Ellen grinned, holding the bill out of his reach as he made a half-hearted attempt to grab it. "Too slow," she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I’m paying this time."
He groaned, slumping back in his chair in mock defeat. "Come on, Ellen, at least let me split it with you."
"Nope," she said, already pulling out her wallet. "This one’s on me."
Edrick sighed dramatically, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "Fine, but I’m getting the next one," he said, his tone light but firm, as if already planning their next meal together.
Ellen laughed, shaking her head as she handed her card to the waiter. "We’ll see about that," she replied, giving him a playful smile. She watched as the waiter walked away to process the payment, feeling a small thrill of victory.
When the waiter returned with her card and the receipt, Ellen quickly signed and handed it back, placing the card back into her wallet with a satisfied smile. "There, all done," she said, looking over at Edrick with a triumphant grin.
Edrick shook his head, still smiling. "Thank you," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "It’s nice to not have to use my card today."
Ellen laughed at his joke, the sound light and genuine. "Glad I could give your wallet a break," she remarked, standing up from the table as Edrick followed suit.
They made their way toward the exit, Edrick stepping ahead to hold the door open for her. Ellen walked through, murmuring a soft "thank you" as she passed him. The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped outside, a gentle breeze brushing against Ellen’s face. She paused for a moment, taking in the bustling street before turning to Edrick.
"This is where we part ways, I guess," Ellen said. The realization that their time together was coming to an end left a strange, bittersweet feeling in her chest.
Edrick nodded, his expression softening as he met her gaze. "Yeah, looks like it," he replied, tone was laced with a subtle, unsaid message. He raised his hand in a casual wave. "It was really nice seeing you again, Ellen."
"Same here," Ellen said, giving him a small, sincere smile. "Take care, Edrick."
With that, she turned and began walking down the street, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. Edrick stood by the restaurant door, watching her for a moment before raising his hand again in a final wave. "Bye, Ellen," he called after her, his voice carrying a warmth that lingered in the air even after he’d lowered his hand.
Ellen didn’t turn around, but she lifted her hand in a brief wave of acknowledgment, feeling his eyes on her as she walked away. She continued walking, her thoughts wandering as she put more distance between herself and the restaurant. The evening crowd was beginning to thin out, the city’s vibrant energy starting to wind down. After a few more steps, Ellen stopped and glanced around, realizing she was far from the restaurant now, standing near a street corner where taxis usually passed by.
She waited patiently, her eyes scanning the road for an available taxi. A few minutes passed, and she watched as a taxi approached, only to drive past her with a passenger already inside. Ellen sighed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she considered her options. She was still a bit away from home, and the idea of taking the bus didn’t seem too appealing at the moment.
Another taxi passed by, this one also occupied, and Ellen felt a small flicker of frustration. She glanced up and down the street, trying to spot any empty taxis in the distance, but the road was mostly quiet now, save for a few cars here and there.
Maybe she should take the bus after all, she thought, her eyes drifting toward the nearest bus stop. It wasn’t too far, just a short walk down the street. She could easily reach it in a few minutes if she continued to miss the taxis.
Ellen’s thoughts drifted as she stood on the quiet street corner. The idea of taking the bus seemed more practical by the minute, but as she considered it, a different thought crossed her mind. Would it be okay for her, as the wife of Mason Coldwell, to take the bus?
It wasn’t just the practicality of it—there was something about the image of it that didn’t sit right with her. Mason’s world was one of luxury, elegance, and appearances. She wasn’t sure how she fit into that world, but taking the bus felt... off. She could almost hear Mason’s voice in her head, gently chiding her for not choosing a more "appropriate" mode of transportation.
Her mind was still wrestling with these thoughts when she heard the sudden blare of a car horn nearby, startling her out of her reverie.
Ellen turned toward the sound, her eyes widening slightly as she saw a sleek car pulling up to the curb. The window rolled down, revealing Edrick behind the wheel, his expression warm and inviting. He gestured toward her with a smile, his voice cutting through the afternoon.
"Come on in, Ellen!" Edrick called out, his tone casual yet insistent. "I’ll give you a ride."