Love adventure

lives seemed to naturally intertwine. Their late-night walks became a regular thing, and soon, it wasn't uncommon for them to grab coffee in the morning

ythm of her growing affection for James, a part of her held back. She had been through enough heartbreak

a bench by the pond. The trees were shedding the last of their leaves

ortable silence between them. Claire glanced at him

ut w

intensity that made her stomach flutter. "I feel like... I don't know. Like

ng faster. "It does," she admitted, he

elief washing over his fa

tly. "No. Defini

et except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Then James reached out, gently taking Claire

ow we haven't known each other for long, but I can't

heir intertwined hands, her mind racing. She had told herself not to get too attached, not to let her heart lead her

st it? Could

she whispered, her voice barely

just wanted you to know how I feel. I'm not asking for anything

of doubt or insincerity, but there was none. He was compl

ngs into words. "I like you. A lot. But I've been hurt before

been hurt too. But I don't want to let fear stop me from seeing where th

ssibility of happiness. For so long, she had convinced herself that she was better off alone, that love wasn't meant for her. But here was Ja

. "I'm scared," she admitted, her voice shaking s

understanding passing be

her cheek. Claire's heart pounded in her chest, her emotions swirling inside her. And the

seemed to stop. It wasn't the kind of kiss that took her breath away – i

, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope.

" she whispered, her voice barely

ng with happiness. "Good. Be

For once, Claire didn't feel the need to rush or overthink. She allowed herself to be in the moment, to feel