Lucas looked at her, green eyes soft.“Not as beautiful as this moment… or you.”
Emma felt her cheeks warm, a small, shy smile playing on her lips. She had learned to savor these moments—the slow-burn, playful, tender moments that built a quiet, unshakeable bond.
As they walked back through the glowing festival, hands intertwined, laughter spilling into the crisp night, Emma realized that love didn’t have to rush. It could grow steadily, warmly, and beautifully, like the rising of countless lanterns into the dark sky.
Chapter 15:
Misread Signals
The following week, Emma found herself unusually distracted at her photography class. Her thoughts kept drifting to Lucas and the festival, the warmth of their hands intertwined, the laughter, the lanterns rising into the sky.
She didn’t notice Lucas approaching until he was standing right beside her, a playful grin on his face.“You’ve been quiet all day,” he said.
Emma snapped out of her thoughts.“Oh! Sorry… I was just thinking.”
Lucas’s grin faltered slightly.“About me?”
Emma felt her face warm.“Uh… maybe. A little.”
He raised an eyebrow, teasing.“A little, huh? That’s all?”
Before she could answer, another friend from class joined them, chatting animatedly and brushing against Lucas in a way that made Emma’s stomach twist unexpectedly. She tried to shake it off, but the small pang of jealousy lingered.
Later, during a photography project, Lucas noticed Emma’s distracted expression and the subtle distance she was keeping.“Emma… is something wrong?” he asked softly.
Emma hesitated, unsure how to explain her feelings without sounding silly.“I… I don’t know. I guess I just… overthink sometimes.”
Lucas reached out, taking her hand.“You don’t have to overthink with me,” he said gently.“I like being with you… just us. Nothing else matters.”
Emma looked into his eyes, feeling the tension dissolve.“I know. I’m sorry. I just… get in my own head sometimes.”
Lucas squeezed her hand.“It’s okay. We’ll figure this out together, slow and steady. No rush.”
Emma smiled, relief washing over her.“Together,” she agreed.
As they returned to their project, the unease melted, replaced by a quiet understanding. The slow-burn romance wasn’t always smooth, but the little challenges and misunderstandings made the moments of connection all the more meaningful.
Chapter 16:
Shared Secrets
It was a rainy Thursday evening when Lucas invited Emma to his small studio apartment to help sort through some of his older photographs. The soft drizzle outside made the room feel cozy, the warm lamplight reflecting off the polished wooden floor.
Emma walked in, shaking off her umbrella.“Wow… this place is… really nice,” she said, glancing around.
Lucas shrugged, smiling.“It’s nothing fancy. But it’s mine.”
They started sorting photos, laughing at old snapshots of city streets, sunsets, and people caught mid-laugh. As they worked, Emma noticed a stack of unmarked envelopes.
“What’s this?” she asked, picking one up carefully.
Lucas hesitated, then smiled softly.“Those… are letters I’ve written but never sent. To people I couldn’t quite tell how I felt.”
Emma’s curiosity piqued.“Really?”
He nodded, a little sheepishly.“Including… well, someone I… care about. A lot.”
Emma felt her heart skip a beat.“And… did you ever send them?”
