Silver Lining ❥ daerin

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕: 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝚂̷𝚊̷𝚐̷𝚎̷

Calista carefully placed the last of our shopping bags into the trunk of her sleek Pagani, the sound of the closing door echoing through the now quieter parking lot. The soft orange glow of the late afternoon sun bathed everything in a warm, golden hue, making the moment feel more intimate than it already was. She stepped back, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of her face before letting out a light, carefree laugh, one that seemed to catch in the breeze and swirl around us.

I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips as I watched her. "What's so funny?"

Calista turned towards me, her eyes sparkling, that effortless grin never leaving her face. "I don't know," she started, a hint of mischief in her voice. "I was just thinking about today... and how much fun I had. With you." She paused, letting the words settle between us, then added with a softer tone, "It's a day I'll remember."

Her smile was infectious, and I could feel myself grinning too, warmth spreading through me at her words. "A day to remember, huh?" I teased, leaning back against the side of the car, my arms crossed. "What makes it so special?"

She stepped closer, her presence filling the small space between us as the soft hum of the distant city noise faded into the background. "It's just... I don't get days like this often, you know?" Her voice was quieter now, more sincere. "Usually, it's racing, or work, or something to keep me moving. But today, with you, it was just... easy. And real."

I tilted my head, my heart fluttering a little at the way she was looking at me, like I was the only person that mattered in this moment. "You don't seem like the kind of person who slows down much," I said softly, watching her closely. "But I guess even someone like you needs a break every now and then."

Calista let out another small laugh, this one softer, almost shy. "Yeah, I guess I do." She took another step forward, her fingers brushing lightly against mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. "And I'm glad I spent my break with you."

I couldn't help but feel the heat rising in my cheeks, the air around us thick with something unsaid, something deeper than just the fun we had today. There was a weight to her words, like she was telling me something more than what she was saying out loud.

"So..." I cleared my throat, trying to keep things light, but my voice came out quieter than I expected. "What was your favourite part of today?"

Calista leaned against the car next to me, her shoulder lightly brushing mine as she gazed out at the fading sky. She stayed quiet for a moment, as if thinking about it, before turning to me with that same soft smile. "Right now, actually," she admitted, her eyes locking onto mine. "This. Just being here with you, talking, no rush. It's nice."

Her honesty caught me off guard, and I found myself at a loss for words. My heart was beating a little faster, and I wasn't sure if it was because of the closeness, the day we had, or just her in general.

I cleared my throat again, trying to hide the fact that she had me flustered. "Yeah, well," I started, my voice betraying me by shaking just a little, "I guess I should thank you for dragging me to all those shops. It was... fun." I shot her a teasing smile. "I wasn't sure how you'd handle my terrible fashion sense."

Calista grinned, bumping her shoulder into mine. "Terrible? Please, you looked great. Besides, you're the one who made fun of me every time someone recognised me."

I laughed, remembering how many times she tried to downplay it every time a store employee noticed her. "I couldn't help it! You act like you're just some normal person, but the second we walk in somewhere, it's like you're royalty or something."