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Before long, when he got to her door, he opened it with a slightly over-the-top show as if trying to lighten the mood. ‘Ladies first,’ he said with a smile on his face, ushering her to exit.

Emma chuckled and waved her hand in dismissal. “Thanks,” she said, climbing out of the car and embracing the feeling of cold air against her skin. The strangeness that had existed in their interaction was still present, but now it was somewhat alleviated by a hint of humor.

She stood on the sidewalk and so did he, both of them motionless for a minute, and the same tension that had been there before was still present even after making a possible effort to ease it. ‘Anyway,’ she said, inclining her head towards him, ‘thanks for the ride, Mikel,’ she said, the silence finally succumbing to speech.

“Whenever you want,” he said and stared at the building, stuffing his hands in his pockets. After a moment, he turned towards her. “I suppose… I will see you around, yeah?”

Emma smiled small again and nodde