We sat there for a moment, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence between us. The lights from the event hall spilled through the windshield — warm, golden, and far too festive for how unenthusiastic I felt.
Then I sighed and turned to her. "Do we really have to do this?" I asked, my tone half plea, half resignation, as I shifted my gaze toward Val.
She was already unbuckling her seatbelt, her fingers brushing against the door handle with that unmistakable certainty that told me I'd already lost.
"We're already here, husband," she said with that teasing lilt in her voice that carried both mischief and pride. "Besides, I haven't had the chance to show off how unfairly handsome you are. I know they see you at work, but seeing you with me? Now that's a whole different experience."
I exhaled through a quiet laugh, shaking my head. Who's supposed to be showing off who again?
