After that night at Solstice Gardens, things changed between us.
It didn't happen all at once.
It started slowly.
Nancy left her boyfriend after everything she discovered. She didn't say much about it, but I could see it in her eyes—she was hurt, but also relieved.
She came to me.
Not completely… not immediately.
But closer than before.
At first, it was simple.
I checked on her.
Made sure she was okay.
Took her out sometimes, just to clear her mind.
No pressure.
No rush.
Just… presence.
We spent more time together.
Walks in quiet places.
Long drives with soft music playing.
Small conversations that somehow lasted for hours.
She began to relax around me.
I noticed it.
The way she smiled more.
The way she spoke freely.
The way she stayed a little longer each time we met.
I started doing more for her.
I bought her things—not to impress her, but because I wanted to.
Nice clothes.
Beautiful bags.
Sometimes she would look at them and say,
"Light, this is too much."
And I would just reply,
"It's nothing."
We traveled too.
Different cities.
Different places.
Places where no one knew us.
Places where it was just me and her.
And in those moments…
It felt real.
Not planned.
Not forced.
Just real.
One evening, we were sitting quietly, watching the sunset from a balcony.
The sky was calm.
The air was soft.
She looked at me.
Not the usual way.
Something was different.
"I didn't expect this," she said.
"Expect what?" I asked.
"This… us."
I didn't say anything.
She looked away for a moment, then back at me.
"I feel safe with you," she added quietly.
That meant more than anything.
I nodded slowly.
"I'm glad."
There was silence.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was the kind of silence that says everything without words.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
And somewhere in between all that time…
It happened.
Not suddenly.
Not loudly.
But clearly.
One day, she looked at me and said,
"I think… I've fallen in love with you."
I didn't react immediately.
I just looked at her.
Because for a moment…
It didn't feel real.
After everything…
After the years…
After losing her once…
She was here.
Saying that.
To me.
I smiled.
A real smile.
And this time…
I knew.
I hadn't lost her again.