But now, those words felt foreign, as if they no longer belonged to me. They rose to my throat, only to dissolve before they could be spoken.
Without another word, I made a U-turn and headed toward the social club.
The drive passed in silence.
When we arrived, I pulled over smoothly beneath the faded awning. Dante opened the door, stepping out without hesitation. Before closing it, he said what he always did, his tone automatic, almost rehearsed.
"Thanks for tonight."
The same words. Every time.
Then the door slammed shut.
He walked away without looking back, his figure disappearing through the unmarked side entrance as if I were no longer part of his world the moment he stepped out of the car.
I sat there for a moment longer, staring ahead.
It wasn't until I shifted to put the car in gear that I noticed it.
His phone.
Left behind on the seat.