The taxi ride back to the mart took twenty minutes through evening traffic. Liam sat in the back seat, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. His body still felt warm from the beach, from Sofia, from everything that had happened just an hour ago.
But now reality was pulling him back.
The driver pulled up outside Mr. Sam's store. The neon sign glowed red and white against the darkening sky, buzzing faintly. A few customers lingered near the entrance, and through the glass windows, Liam could see Elsa moving behind the counter.
"Here's good," Liam said.
The driver nodded. "Fourteen fifty."
Liam pulled out a crumpled twenty from his wallet and handed it over. "Keep the change."
"Thanks, man."
He stepped out onto the sidewalk, the cool evening air hitting his face. The door chime jingled as he pushed inside.
