f another person who belonged in it. Debby hadn't expected Higgins to show up again, but there he was, as if he had an invisible thread pulling him back to the litt

e door, even though the clock hadn't yet str

time, he wasn't carrying a thermos. Instead, he hel

ter than usual. He stepped inside, wiping rainwa

e hesitated before opening it. Inside, the pages were filled with neat, handwritten notes. Half-finished ideas, ra

voice soft, as if the notebook i

distant. "Some of it. Not enough t

nk in. "It's beautiful," she said, her thumb tracin

ike pieces of a song. Like when you stop chas

e her heart flutter. She closed the notebook and handed it b

usive smile tugging at the corn

he always seemed like he was carrying a storm inside, yet, when he played, the air lightened. Maybe one day he'd trust her enough to tel

ing?" she asked, ges

h-his fingers seemed to speak for him as they pressed into the keys. This time, the melody wa

irst time, she didn't feel like she was alone in the bookstore, surrounded by stacks

he quiet between them wo