The Goodbye That Never Was

t in her usual corner, flipping through her notes, but her focus wavered as her thoughts kept drifting to

hting up even the dullest places. Her eyes sparkled

i asked softly, gesturing

to hide her smile.

sending a jolt through Layla's entire being. Naomi opened o

ely," Naomi said, her tone

time they were together? That her thoughts were consumed by Naomi's l

plied, her voice bar

g Layla. "Are you sure? You ca

yla's chest tighten. She took a deep b

embling slightly, "there's somethi

iving Layla her full att

r courage. "I... I care about you. More than

s terrified she had ruined everything. But then,

h emotion, "I've felt the same way for a long ti

meeting Naomi's gaze. The distance between them disap

ything, Naomi,"

mine," Nao

ps met in a gentle kiss, sealing the unspok

was at her desk, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook. The previous night played over and

voice cut throu

anding beside her desk, her sign

reeted, feeling a famil

d, her eyes sparkling. "Are

ised by the question

opping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I

d, but she nodded. "Alright

park," Naomi said, her smile

rd to miss, its sprawling branches providing shade to the bench beneath. N

gry," Naomi said a

a seat beside her. "Al

ng an assortment of sandwiches,

tle celebration," Naomi said,

t swelling with affect

ayla's gaze. "Celebrating us. I've never been

the grin spreading across her face. "You're incredibl

peaceful ambiance of the park. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, pa

ow we've only just started this, but I wa

Naomi's voice was undeniable, and it wrap

oose you too,"

mfortable silence, watching the sun set together, the world f