Later, as the gathering began to thin, Cheryl found herself standing near the exit, a pleasant buzz of conversation and cosmic wonder still lingering in her mind. Louis was nowhere in sight; he had, as was his habit, slipped away without a grand farewell.
The subtle distance he maintained, even when charming, was a constant reminder of the wall he kept between himself and true intimacy.
“Ready to head out?” Dennis asked, appearing beside her, a light jacket draped over his arm.
“It’s getting late, and I’d be happy to walk you home.”
“That would be lovely, Dennis, thank you.” Cheryl appreciated his thoughtfulness, a stark contrast to Louis’s elusive nature.
The cool night air was a welcome change after the warmth of the hall. The city lights twinkled below them like scattered diamonds, and above, the observatory dome stood sentinel against the inky sky.
Their footsteps echoed softly on the pavement as they descended the winding path.
“Tonight was good,” Cheryl mused, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “It’s nice to see everyone unwind.”
“It was,” Dennis agreed. “Though I think I enjoyed it most because you were there.”
He paused, and Cheryl felt a sudden tension in the air, a shift in the easy rhythm of their conversation.
“Cheryl,” he began, his voice lower now, a little rough around the edges. “I… I really admire you. Your talent, your passion, the way you see the world through scent. It’s truly extraordinary.”
“Thank you, Dennis,” she said, her heart beginning to beat a little faster. She knew where this was going, or at least, where it felt like it was going.
He cut her off, a small, self-deprecating smile touching his lips. “No, don’t say anything. Not now. I just… wanted you to know.”
He reached out, his hand hovering for a moment before gently cupping her cheek. His thumb stroked softly, sending a jolt through her.
“You deserve to be seen, Cheryl. Truly seen, and cherished.”
Then, as quickly as it had come, the moment passed. He dropped his hand, his smile returning, though a little more subdued.
“Get some rest. We have a big week ahead.”
He waited until she was safely inside her building before turning and walking away, his figure disappearing into the night.