was cool and clean, washed of dust and heaviness, carrying the faint scent of rain-soaked earth and blooming ivy. Lily stood at the front

ling the same moments over and over-the way Nicholas's hand had found hers without hes

nded.

certainty

t yet taken shape. Lily knew enough about love to understand that the spa

above the

ed before she

itself had followed him in. He looked calmer than he had the night before, b

hey simply look

ing," he s

replied, her voice s

familiar click sounding louder than

gently. Then, after a b

He moved deeper into the shop, running his fingers lightly along th

away," he admit

ward the reading

shions, the town moving quietly beyond the glass. A sparrow h

lasped tightly together. "I didn't sleep," he said. "Every ti

ightened. "Wha

ing. "That staying matters. That runn

"I've learned that

"I've been afraid of love for years, Lily. Not because it hurts-but b

tly, giving him t

ted different things. But the truth is, I never fully let myself choose. I kept one f

ne, but from recognition. "Fear can be very convinci

king I could disappear into quiet. I didn't exp

ou didn't expect love

ou didn't push. You didn't dem

s. "Because I know what it's like to clos

g settled between them-under

his voice steady now. "I don't want to half-love

g in front of her. "I've spent days trying to find t

rt pounding. "And

"No. Because the

reath-deep,

e you,

oftly, but their w

Not dramatic

aching with the fullness of it. "You don't h

id. "I'm afraid

sing the distance compl

h. He let out a shaky laugh, pressing his forehead to hers, ha

e it was too so

s love real," Lily re

humming quietly around them. The shelves had witnessed countless sto

. Willowbrook seemed brighter, as though the storm had cleared more than just the sky. Neighbor

ped, watching the water ri

mething els

to him. "W

he city," he admitted. "Something perma

d, but she held hi

e said. "I don't want to leave because I'm scared of stayi

y. "Then don't decide yet. Love doesn't

and. "You make ev

talking about possibilities rather than endings. No ultimatum

bookstore, the streetlights flickere

"For seeing me. For believing

gently. "Thank you for choosing

ain. When they parted, Lily rested her head against h

didn't feel like somethin

mething strong

wn seemed to breathe easily again-as though it, too