falling for you again

begun to settle into a peaceful calm. She stood on the balcony of her small apartment, gazing out over the skyline, her fingers wrapped around

r feeling like a broken shell. Her ex, the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with, had shattered her

ushed against her skin. Lily had promised herself she wouldn't dwell on the past anymore, but that wa

ack inside. A message from her best friend, Emma, appeared on the scr

he was ready for socializing. But maybe that was the point. She needed to sto

et, the sun had dipped beneath the horizon. Inside, the intimate space was filled

r over. With a smile, she made her way through the crowd, he

, her dark curls bouncing as she turned to order th

e at the corners of her lips. "I wa

a cocktail. "Tonight, you're going to s

the tightness in Lily's chest. They laughed and shared stories, and for the first time

ders and a casual confidence that exuded from every step, he was undeniably handsome. His dark hair was slightly tousled as if he had just come in from a brisk walk, and his sharp feature

magnetic pull she felt toward him. She tore her gaze away, focusing on her dr

in intensity. And just as she had managed to regain her composure, she sensed him move c

hiver down Lily's spine. She looked up to find him standing right beside he

oment, but she managed a s

ing his full attention to Lily. The air between them crackled with unspoken

said, extend

warmth of his touch lingered even after he released h

Lily?" Max asked, his tone casual

," she said, her voice softer th

night just got a little more interesting,"

g about Max-something magnetic that made it impossible to look away. His confidence wasn't overbearing, bu

iet confidence that made her feel at ease. They talked about everything from their favourite books and movies to their travels and asp

d to cocoon them in their little world. The crowd had thinned out, leaving just a few lingering patrons scat

ate as he spoke. "I have to admit, I didn'

his gaze, her feelings reflected in his eyes. "

of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin for just a moment longer than nece

arely above a whisper. "I've bee

hem seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of them in that moment. His hand cupped the side of her face, and she found herse

nviting, and Lily found herself melting into him, her body responding to his in ways she hadn't anticipated. T

other as they tried to catch their breath. Lily's heart was racing, her mind spinning from the intensity

, knowing smile that made her knees weak. "I don't want thi

chest. She didn't want it to end either. For the first time in a l

whispered back, her

ickening as they left the bar together, stepping out into the cool night air. The city lights shimmered

alive, seen, and wanted. As they strolled through the quiet streets, she couldn't help but wonder if this was the start of so