: Wanna s

ouldn't work dur

wrapped in each other's arms, a

n who once said her smile was enough to

her chest. The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of trees ou

weren't o

hing she couldn't s

t even gotten there? Naomi had been in that kit

one he brushed off like it meant nothing, even t

had never seen before but felt oddly familiar. Who had shown up at the cemetery uninvited, said

est ti

like a puzzle wi

spilling into the room. Her gaze dropped to the floor, and w

us piece "a goat"-they started dating. Late night calls turned to dinner dates.

Damien into her life. But now, here they were, two months into dating,

g deal. She had invited him to

wiping surfaces that didn't need wiping. And after spending thirty minutes arguing with

couch cushions again

e-casual in a black t-shirt and jeans, but

to sound calm, even thoug

inned. "You

't help the smile that tugged at her lips. She

vening feel light and effortless. They talked about everything-work, family, life. Naomi felt like she was finally letting him

ien leaned back on the co

" he asked, his t

"You wanna see my room?" she asked, a littl

said, standing up and fol

the small photo frame on her bedside table. It was a picture of Naomi and her mother, both smiling brightly in the sun, th

w him look at it. The photo had been t

ien asked softly, movin

been just a year and five months since she passed. It still fee

to her, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "I'm

ered. "It's still hard. It was actually Rachel who made me go to the art gallery. She basically dr

in. "Oh, so she abandoned you at the art gallery? And then w

d with a smile. "If she hadn't mad

tender as he gently cupped her face. "Glad she did then," he sai

the sound of his movement pul

mother for the very first time. Maybe Damien doesn't know my mum, but his parents do. But why

an's unsettling calmness. She had claimed to be a "business partner"

hings didn