The season for us

r: Storms a

pping gently against her window-a far cry from the warmth she felt with Jack the day before. She slipped on a cozy sweater, made her favorit

nce on the breeze; a gleam in his eye, every time their conversations focused on their future plans; the warmth and steadying of his

d be quieter than usual, considering the weather; being among books was reassuring. She liked

tumn-themed bookmarks and cozy reads. "Good morning, Em!" Lila called, her voice bright even as the gray out

corner," Emily replied, her heart warming at L

winter. People love curling up with a good book when the weather g

ng up inside of her. She hoped he'd get in touch with her soon. They'd discussed meeting up again, bu

ence immediately stirring her excitement. Jack stepped inside, shaking off the rain

ing up some seasonal displays. What about you?

osphere such a dramatic and brooding mood," he said, alight in his enthusiasm.

eplied, her mood lightening instantly at the

cozy inside, with newly brewed coffee fragrances, they found a nook and settle

id as he took a sip of his cappuccino. "The r

ing the mood of a place," Emily replied in admir

ise at the beach. The sky just goes ablaze with color, and the waves, in their beauty, we

he had evoked. "That does sound bea

ack promised, a soft smile dancing on his

I'd have to say, my number one would have to be 'Pride and Prejudice'

with characters," Jack exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "I

n gradually unfolded between them. They told stories of how certain books shaped

the door burst open and a soundscape of laughter entered the space: a group of friends, undete

ing her eye. "Even on a gray, rainy

tive," Emily responded, and felt th

know, I've been thinking about what you said the other day-about want

of excitement. "R

st one of those perfect places where one can do that,"

some sort of book reading. We could invite local au

ibit alongside of it. I'd love to showcase some of

s heart racing. "That would be amazing! We could hold an e

ation in his eyes. "I can help you set everyt

n a lot to me, for you to try a

fresh and cool. Jack pulled out his camera to click candid moments of the world around them-the laughter of children playin

a photo he'd just taken. It was of Emily mid-laugh, her hai

shed. "I

s that tell a story," he said, scrolling through more images. "I want p

e one glittering wonderland. The trees shone, and flowers looked fresher than they ever were.

etals? It's like nature's jewelry

uty in the most minute of things. "You surely have a

tive," he repeated as his eyes locked

d laughter as they meandered. It was as if the atmosphere itself was electric, and Emily found

w around them. "Look at how different everything appears after the rain," Emily s

ttle storm to appreciate the sunshine," Jack

. I have always loved how nature parallels life. The

"It's all about navigati

rk, Emily suddenly felt tears well up. "I'm really glad we met, Ja

a different way," he said, simple sincerity

afar, inviting them to remember that nature can be the least predictable. Emily la

make a run for it!" Jack said

ir laughter ringing out through the air. A storm that had seemed daunting only

es, panting and exhilarated. The storm rolled in outsid

ure!" Emily said, c

t to share it with anyone else,

de to a cozy nook-the café was thick with life. The atmosphere was electri

ey wanted in life and for their futures, over steaming cups of cocoa. The conversat

nd with each utterance. Outside, the rain became a comforting background to the bondin

g, Jack glanced at his watch and heaved a deep

te," Emily said, her voice tinged with dis

her. "I really enjoy our talks, Emily. You ha

e simple sentiment. "Than

was fresh and cool, and, as they walked, Emily couldn't hel

d turned to her. "I had such a great time toda

e excitement bubbling to the surface. "I'll start

more about the town together?" Jack sugge

'd like that. There is so much to see

ieu and left Emily to watch him walk away, filled wit

ed with a sense of hope and possibility. She reached for her phone, anxious to write down all of th

ythm an echo of her heart. Those sudden storms and then sunshine after-in those

k's connection and building on the development of their relations