The sky had already begun to darken, and the light evening breeze moved through the grass, carrying the faint scent of the garden with it.
Charlotte sat alone on the wooden bench near the far edge of the lawn, with one leg crossed over the other.
Between her fingers, a cigarette burned slowly.
She took a quiet drag, exhaling the smoke upward as she stared out toward the distant trees.
The sound of footsteps on the grass made her glance sideways.
The moment she saw Brandon approaching, her eyes widened slightly.
In a quick motion, she lowered the cigarette and tried to angle her hand behind the bench.
The faint trail of smoke still rising above her made the attempt mostly useless.
Brandon walked the remaining distance without hurry and sat down beside her on the bench.
Before she could say anything, he casually wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her lightly against his side.
Charlotte exhaled through her nose in mild defeat.
"…Did you see it."
"I did."
