The sun had just dipped below the rooftops of Valiant Ridge when they stepped outside. The neighborhood was quiet in the way only well-kept places can be — soft lighting along the sidewalks, the smell of fresh-cut grass still lingering in the air.
They had dinner at Flame and Vine. The restaurant was busy but never felt rushed. Their usual table was ready, and the server greeted them by name. The steaks came out perfectly, the wine paired exactly as promised, and the conversation flowed easily between bites. By the time dessert arrived, the tension of the week had already slipped away.
Afterward, they walked a few blocks to Mug And Malt. The bar was warm and low-lit, the kind of place where the music never got in the way of talking. They took two seats near the window and ordered their usual nightcaps. For a while they didn’t say much. They didn’t need to.
It was during the second round that the message appeared on the small screen built into the table.
Their Hydrofoil Training reservation for tomorrow morning on Lake Maven had been confirmed. But there was an addition: because of a last-minute cancellation, they had been moved to the first session of the day — the one that caught the best light on the water. The instructor had also noted that conditions were expected to be ideal.
They looked at each other and smiled.
Valiant Ridge was beautiful at night, but tomorrow morning they would be somewhere else entirely — out on the open water, learning something new together. The evening suddenly felt like the perfect beginning to something even better.
They finished their drinks slowly, already looking forward to waking up early.