Intimate Escape

Valerie said, "Let's just eat here. We can just order room service. I really don't want to go out."

Desmond was a creature of habit. He never touched takeout and always stuck to his routine. When he heard Valerie's suggestion, he paused, just quietly watching her instead of answering right away.

His eyes were sharp and unreadable, easily catching the flicker of caution and guardedness in Valerie's