After finishing the meal, Celine finally felt alive again.
She looked at the time. It was late.
She stood up, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and looked at Kaylee sitting across from her, feeling very grateful.
"Kaylee, thank you so much today. You ran around for me and worked hard."
"It is so late. Let me call a car to take you home."
She was thoughtful. After a whole day of work, Kaylee had done her best.
Before Kaylee could refuse, Shenan, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke.
"It is too late. It is not safe for a girl to take a taxi alone."
He looked at Kaylee seriously without much expression.
"Miss Kaylee, please take our car home."
Kaylee was about to say "No need, it is fine," but her words were stopped.
Her heart felt like it was lightly touched, a little numb and a little ticklish.
She almost instinctively gave a soft "Hmm."
Celine did not think much but quickly pointed out a problem. "Uh, big brother, I am driving a truck. Only two seats in the cab."
After hearing this, the little light in Kaylee's eyes quickly went out, almost too fast to notice.
She quickly changed her expression, waved her hand, and smiled politely again.
"It is okay. I can easily get a taxi myself. Really no trouble. Ride-hailing is very convenient now."
She said this while tidying her small bag, looking like she was ready to leave, both to avoid the situation and hide her brief disappointment.
Just as she was about to stand up.
"I will send you."
Shenan stood up almost immediately, moving so fast that Celine was surprised.
He looked at Kaylee and said without any hesitation, "I will call a taxi to send you home. It is very late. It is not safe for a girl to go home alone."
Celine was a bit stunned.
This was her usually quiet and socially awkward big brother?
Did the sun rise from the west today?
Then she thought maybe it was her earlier hint that worked. Her big brother was finally willing to talk to people normally.
Thinking this, Celine's surprise quickly turned into comfort.
"Okay, then big brother, you send Kaylee back. Be careful on the way," Celine said cheerfully.
The three of them went downstairs together.
The night was deep, streetlights casting a yellowish glow.
Shenan stood by the roadside and quickly hailed an empty taxi.
He opened the door and naturally rested his hand on the top of the door, signaling Kaylee to get in first.
Kaylee's heart beat a little faster. She lowered her head and said "Thank you," then bent down and sat inside.
Shenan then followed and sat in the back seat, closing the door behind him.
The taxi started smoothly and merged into the night traffic.
Celine turned and walked toward her truck parked not far away. She started it and calmly followed behind the taxi.
The back seat of the taxi was actually quite spacious, enough for two adults to sit on each side, with room in the middle even for a backpack.
But whether intentional or not, Shenan and Kaylee sat close, shoulder to shoulder.
Kaylee clearly felt the warmth of the man beside her passing through the thin fabric of his clothes, bringing a feeling that made her both calm and strangely nervous.
Her hands rested properly on her knees, her body a little stiff.
Her eyes looked out at the neon lights rushing by, but her ears unconsciously caught the steady breathing beside her.
When the car turned or hit slight bumps on the road, their arms and shoulders would inevitably brush.
Every touch was like a faint electric current running through her.
Kaylee's heartbeat sped up, and her cheeks burned.
She nervously clenched the corner of her clothes and glanced at the traffic light outside the window.
If only this ride home could be a little longer, just a little longer...
Next to her, Shenan's face was calm as he stared out the window, the sharp lines of his profile blurred by the streetlight shadows.
But inside, Shenan's heart was not peaceful.
He could clearly feel the girl's tension and the faint scent she carried.
He knew well that this kind of companionship, this closeness, was maybe just a brief luxury, an indulgence that shouldn't exist.
But he still let himself sink into this moment of quiet and touch.
Just this once, let it go.
Let himself foolishly hope, in this not-so-long journey home.