carl untied his apron, rolling his shoulders as he stuffed it into his locker. the smell of fryer oil and coffee clung to his shirt, but he was too used to it to care. the diner was winding down, the last few customers lingering over their plates while the neon “open” sign buzzed softly in the window.
his shift was finally over. and he had somewhere to be.
he ran a hand through his hair as he stepped outside, the warm summer air thick with the scent of cut grass and pavement still holding onto the day’s heat. the sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and pink fading into deep blue.
his phone buzzed. a text from her.
“u done? ;p”
he smiled, typing back quickly.
"yeah. where u at? :D”
a few minutes later, he spotted her across the parking lot, leaning against her car, her face lit up by the soft glow of a streetlamp. she looked up when she saw him, a grin spreading across her face.
“finally,” she teased. “i was starting to think you ditched me.”
carl huffed a laugh. “yeah, right. like i’d miss this.”
he stepped closer, hands sliding into his pockets. she smelled like something sweet—maybe perfume, maybe just the lingering scent of summer air.
“so,” he said, tilting his head. “what’s the plan?”
she smirked. “i was thinking milkshakes. or a drive. or both.”
he didn’t even have to think about it. “both. obviously.”
with that, she tossed him the keys. “you drive.”
carl caught them easily, shaking his head. “dangerous choice.”
she just laughed, climbing into the passenger seat as he slid behind the wheel. the engine rumbled to life, the radio crackling to a song that was her favorite as he backed out of the lot. the night stretched out ahead of them, endless and electric, full of possibilities.
and carl? he was so glad he didn’t have to spend it alone.