settling in her chest. It had been so long since she'd allowed herself to feel this... free. The conversation with Noah had brought a warmth to her heart that she hadn't realized she missed. But the

better than to believe that one conversati

with herself, fighting the feelings of inadequacy, the resentment that festered inside her. She had put on a mask for the world, pretending that everything was fine,

nection they were forming, to keep dragging her past into the present. She needed to let go, to trust a

the screen lighting up w

ow how it wen

unce of patience, but that was part of why she loved her best friend

ed for hours. He's... different than I exp

reen. "You're holding back. I can tell. Don't hi

under layers of practicality and caution. But what if trusting again, what if taking that leap, meant opening herself up to more hurt?

oise and chaos, had a way of making her feel small and insignificant. But tonight, the stars were clearer, the air a little cool

expect instant results, to expect some grand romantic gesture. That wasn't Noah's style, and frankly, it wasn't he

had been... different. There had been something real about it, something raw. She'd allowed herself to open up in ways sh

as just a casual check-in. She opened her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen as she typed and erased

I just wanted to say thanks again. It was good to

t felt like so little, but it was everything she could give r

assed. No

nt by. Sti

p the way her mind raced. Was he avoiding her? Had she said something wrong? Her insecurities began to claw their way to the sur

up and turn off her phone for

t I'm glad you reached out. I've been thinking about our c

doubt remained. Was it too soon to get her hopes up? She had no idea where this was heading, and the uncertainty was unsettling. But at the same time, it was exhil

her fingers trembling slightly. "Let's

"Sounds perfect. I'll figure o

within her, but she kept it tempered with caution. She couldn't let herself fall too quickly, not after everything she had

that felt like herself but also like she was putting in the effort. She had been in relationships before, but this... this felt different. It felt like a risk, like something worth fighting for. But she

doubt away. She wasn't going to let h

skip a beat. He smiled when he saw her, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade.

d, his voice warm.

said, smiling ner

thing and nothing-work, their pasts, the things that made them who they were. With each passing moment, Kendra felt hersel

n so long, she didn't feel burdened by the ghosts of her past. Noah had a way of making her

took her hand gently in his. "I'm really glad we did this," he

er di