The night air wrapped around them like a velvet cloak, cool and quiet after the chaos of the amusement park. Liam's hand found Alex's as they slipped into his car, the tension of the earlier encounter still humming under their skin — but neither of them wanted to talk about Jude. Not tonight.
Liam didn't drive them back to the manor.
Instead, he took the coastal road, the sea stretching out dark and endless beside them, waves crashing softly against the shore.
"Where are we going?" Alex asked, his voice low, unsure.
Liam glanced at him, lips quirking up into a small smile. "Somewhere quiet. Somewhere just for us."
They parked on a cliffside lookout, far from the buzzing city, where the stars weren't shy and the wind smelled like salt and freedom. Liam pulled a blanket from the backseat, spreading it out on the hood of his car. He leaned back and patted the space beside him.
"Come here."
Alex climbed up slowly, resting beside him, close enough to feel his warmth.
