t believe in

t her emotions predictable. So when she saw Elias again three days later-standing by the

r steps witho

the pockets of his coat. The sound of his laughter wasn't loud, but it carried a warmth that

rself to ke

, she s

lighting his face. "Either Boston is smaller th

yebrow. "You be

attention," he repl

grief urged her to say no. Strangers became attachments.

work," s

the coffee cart. "Five minutes

pressure, without implicati

utes," sh

ence between them wasn't awkward, just... open. Elias didn't rush to

ne felt

do you do when you're not runn

f. "Healthcare project co

e corrected ge

resilience. I spend a lot of time thinkin

t seriousness beneath his warm

e said. "M

ved to Boston six years earlier. She told him she loved long walks but avoided saying w

eady, he handed her cup

t a lot," s

wh

er peopl

d. "Someon

d with her long aft

ey ran into each other naturally, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. Coffee turned int

f talking more tha

ed to be independent early. Elias listened-not with solutions, not with inte

on drifted too close to

not

ver, she abruptly changed the subject after ment

he slowed

me anything you're not r

opped

is?" she asked, shar

e wh

. "Most people push

steadily. "I'm n

ld have s

t made her