A small bed

Nate parked his car in front of the residence, and he turned his head to check whether Lara was sleeping. She had been silent during the journey, and her body signalled peace.

He had assumed she was tired, but she returned his glance with a smile.

«We're here,» he said.

Stating the obvious helped him gain some security, and he desperately needed something to say.

Lara didn't reply, but her eyes swept over his face, caressing his lips a little too insistently for it to be by chance. Still, she didn't bend forward to kiss him, nor did she close her eyes in expectation.

She unfastened her seatbelt and got off. Out, in the fresh air, she allowed herself to breathe. Only when she was sure about her own thoughts and actions did she turn to Nate and offer her hand.

Since he took it, she guided him upstairs.

She was an adult woman, and she could make decisions about her own life. It did feel a little embarrassing, but it also felt right.