Daphne could hardly believe that this moment was really happening. It felt more like a scene right out of one of her favorite romance novels.
But when she drew back and stared into Niles' eyes after yet another kiss, there was no denying that this moment was real.
"We should probably go." Daphne said, hating the thought of this magical evening coming to an end.
Niles sighed; his expression telling her that he felt the same way as she.
"You're right." He said after a brief silence. "Dad will be furious if I bring you home late."
Daphne laughed at the seriousness on Niles' face and she pulled him into a hug.
"Oh Niles... Your sense of humor always brings a smile to me face!"
"Oh..." He said, looking as though he wasn't sure what he'd said to make her laugh.
She laughed once more. "Your father was only jokin' about what he said! Imagine, a grown woman like meself, havin' a curfew!"
"Right..." Niles replied with a nervous chuckle. "Preposterous!"
"But I am grateful for one thing." Daphne said.
"W-what's that?"
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him once more. When she drew back, she could tell that he was more than a little nervous.
"Thank you, Niles."
He swallowed hard when she reached out and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Daphne, having you accompany me tonight was my pleasure, so you don't have to-."
"I meant thank you for takin' such good care of me tonight. I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me. I feel the same way about you."
"I would die before I'd ever let anyone or anything hurt you, Daphne."
Immediately her eyes filled with tears, blurring his handsome face. "Oh Niles... That's the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me."
"Well, it's the truth. I love you, Daphne."
The sentiment caught her off-guard and suddenly she wasn't sure how to respond. The reply that she knew he wanted to hear lingered on her lips, but she couldn't bring herself to say them.
In the course of one magical evening their relationship had changed dramatically, and what she felt for Niles was still so new to her.
But when she looked into his eyes, he quickly looked away.
"You're right, Daphne."
"About what?"
"We should go. It's late, so come on."
She felt like Cinderella in the garden after the coach had turned back into a pumpkin.
Hesitantly she took his hand and they walked back to the valet. Once there, Niles handed the attendant his ticket and a handsome tip. Within less than a minute, the car pulled up in front of them and seconds later they were driving away from the gorgeous McCaw Hall Opera House.
The blissful smile that Niles had worn all evening was no longer visible and when she opened her mouth to speak, he hurriedly turned on the radio, filling the car with sounds from the popular classical music station.
A lump formed in Daphne's throat and she stared out the window at the starry sky, blinking back tears.
Their magical evening had been ruined... and all because she couldn't bring herself to say what was in her heart.