Chapter 33 - The Midday Stroll
By noon, Ethan and Maya had slipped away from the corporate offices, opting for a quiet walk through the sprawling, tree-lined paths of Lincoln Park.
The autumn leaves were turning vibrant shades of amber, crimson, and gold, fluttering gently down around them as they strolled hand-in-hand. The crisp air was refreshing, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor cart.
Maya wore a tailored camel-wool coat over her silk blouse, her breath pluming softly in the cool air as she laughed at something Ethan had said about one of the more eccentric international investors.
“You know, for a terrifying mafia boss, you have a surprisingly good sense of comedic timing,” Maya teased, nudging his shoulder playfully with her own.
“I’m a man of many hidden talents, Madame Auditor,” Ethan replied with a smirk, pulling her closer against his side as a sudden gust of wind swept through the park. “Most of which you’ve successfully cataloged in your private ledgers.”
May you like
“Not all of them,” she murmured, her dark eyes flashing with a playful, affectionate light. “I’m still auditing your habit of stealing my favorite coffee mugs.”
Ethan laughed—a rich, booming sound that made a passing couple turn and smile—and wrapped his arm tighter around her shoulders, keeping her warm against the autumn chill.
