the way some moments in life did su

whispered too late. Outside, the air had grown heavy and still, the kind that pressed against the skin and made breathing feel del

rrived, the storm had

s, coat clutched tightly around him. The bell above the door rang sharply

wrong evening to walk," h

ht of him like this unguarded, real. "You're welcome to wa

he bookstore in stark white before plunging it back into shadow.

gaspe

through the shop. The shelves loomed taller, the corners deeper with

said quietly, "th

her pulse had qui

few candles from beneath the counter. Their soft flames danced, filling the space with warmth and int

w, the storm playing its wi

they watche

s a kid, my father would sit with me during the worst ones.

rd him. "Do you

m not sure. They

ve someone sitting beside y

something vulnerable fl

ily reached for his hand. Their fingers intertwined, fittin

the streets. The world beyond the bookstore felt distant, unreal,

Not of being alone-but of choosing wrong. Of loving

't something you wake up with one day. I think

softening her features. "And what if

k," she said. "Because the alt

m. Nicholas exhaled slowly, as if releasi

ctations. From grief. From myself. Willowbroo

ear at that-but she didn

m not s

Lily shifted nearer to him, their shoulders touching. She could

she said softly. "I just want to

is that?"

anymore. Not behind routine. Not behind fear.

her, his expression raw and

eeks finally broke. He lifted his hand to her cheek, thumb brushing ge

rtain-but filled with intention. Lily felt the storm echo ins

when thunder roared aga

If this place collapses, a

forehead against his.

ry, rain easing into a gentle rhythm. The candles

a whisper, and the world beyond t

side them had sh

dles, Lily realized that the storm hadn't

away the last of

ned was something fragile,