After they finished their meal, they stood up, and he offered his arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. His warmth, his familiar scent, the steady rhythm of his stride - all of it wrapped her in a soft, nostalgic glow. They walked the garden path toward the marble entrance of the building. Soft lights pushed back the evening darkness, scattering warm reflections across the polished floor. From the outside, the building resembled a graceful apartment complex. When they reached the marble arch entrance, he turned toward her, his smile carrying a nervous, tentative tremor.


“Lilian... I’d like to see you again,” he said, as though she might say no.


“I’d like that very much, Thomas,” she replied, with a soft steadiness in her voice.


He hesitated, then, bravely, he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. He pulled back almost immediately, eyes wide, fearful he had overstepped.


“I-I hope that wasn’t too forward,” he said hesitantly.


“Not at all, Thomas. The evening was lovely,” she replied softly, looking at him with tender reassurance.


She gently adjusted the coat resting on her shoulders and stepped toward the entrance. He stayed just half a step behind her, clearing his throat as if trying to gather his courage. The soft sound made her pause mid-step, and she turned back to see what he was about to say.


“Lilian, I’m thinking of redecorating my apartment - maybe remove the wallpaper and paint the walls. Would you help me pick the colours?” he asked, glancing at her nervously. “It could use a woman’s eye,” he added, his voice careful, as though he needed to make her understand why he was asking.


She looked at him with a gentle smile of amusement, fingers resting at the collar of her coat.


“I’d love to,” she said softly, remembering the first time he had asked her that, more than sixty years ago, when she helped him decorate their very first home.


Thomas held the door open, and she stepped inside. The reception area was quiet, the front desk empty as it often was at this hour. A pair of low lamps cast a soft, muted gold across the room, smoothing every corner into something calm and welcoming. She walked with him toward the elevator, their steps unhurried as they crossed the empty lobby. He pressed the button and turned to her with that same shy brightness that had followed him all evening.


“This was... very nice,” he said quietly.


“It was,” she agreed, offering him a warm, soft smile.


They waited in a comfortable silence for the elevator to arrive. When the doors slid open, he stepped in first and held them with one hand, turning toward her with a hopeful little smile.


“Allow me to escort you to your floor,” he said. “Your apartment is just one floor above me, isn’t that right?” his smile wavering, as though unsure he remembered correctly.


She returned the smile.


“You go on ahead, Thomas. I think I’ll stay here for a moment .....the lobby feels so peaceful tonight.”


“Oh... of course,” he replied, his tone warm with understanding. “Take all the time you need. I will see you tomorrow, then. Goodnight,” he said softly, lifting his hand in a shy little wave before the doors closed.