“Hi,” he said, his voice soft, almost uncertain.
“Hi,” Hannah replied, forcing a smile while feeling a thousand butterflies at once.
They walked along the lighthouse path in silence at first, the ocean stretching endlessly beside them. It was comforting, this quiet companionship, yet the air was charged with unspoken words.
Finally, Ethan spoke.“I’m glad you came. I know meeting like this… it could feel strange.”
“Not at all,” Hannah said honestly.“It feels… right. Like the letters, but better.”
They found a bench near the edge, the sun casting a warm glow across their faces. Conversation flowed more naturally than Hannah expected—shared stories, small jokes, and laughter that felt effortless.
At one point, Ethan glanced at her sketchbook.“You bring it everywhere, huh?”
Hannah laughed softly.“It’s how I see the world. And… I wanted you to see it too.”
Ethan’s eyes softened.“I’m glad I do. You… make the world brighter.”
The sun dipped fully below the horizon, leaving them in the soft glow of twilight. For the first time, the letters weren’t enough—they had the real thing, right in front of them. And both of them knew this was only the beginning of something that couldn’t stay hidden behind notes any longer.
Chapter 6:
Close Enough to Feel
The days after their first meeting at the lighthouse were filled with a quiet anticipation. The letters continued, but now, each note carried the weight of their in-person encounter—the shared glances, the small smiles, the soft laughter.
One afternoon, Hannah returned to the boardwalk, sketchbook in hand, hoping for another glimpse of Ethan. She found him sitting on their usual bench, the sun warm on his back.
“Hey,” she said softly.
He looked up and grinned, brushing a strand of wind-tossed hair from his face.“Hey. I was hoping I’d see you.”
They walked side by side, letting the rhythm of their steps sync with the gentle waves. Conversation flowed easily, lighter than before, full of teasing and quiet humor.
At one point, Hannah stumbled slightly over a loose board. Ethan’s hand shot out instinctively, catching her by the elbow. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world shrank to that small, electric touch.
“Thanks,” she whispered, her pulse quickening.
“No problem,” he replied, voice low.“I’ll always be around to… catch you.”
Hannah’s cheeks flushed. The letters had never felt this real, this charged. She realized how much she looked forward to hispresence, how her heart seemed to skip a beat every time he was near.
They sat on the bench, side by side, shoulders brushing, letting the silence speak. No letters, no words—just the warmth of being close enough to feel the other’s heartbeat.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Hannah thought about how the slow moments—the quiet smiles, the lingering glances, the gentle touches—were what made their connection so undeniable. And though neither of them said it aloud, both knew that the letters had only been the beginning of something far deeper.
Chapter 7:
Misread Signals
The boardwalk had become their secret world. Each day, Hannah looked forward to seeing Ethan, though she tried not to admit it—even to herself.
This afternoon, Ethan was already there when she arrived, sketchbook in hand. He waved, but his smile was slightly guarded.
“Hey,” she said, settling onto the bench.“You look… serious today.”
He shrugged, flipping through his sketches.“Just thinking. You know… life stuff.”
Hannah nodded, but couldn’t help the little pang of disappointment. She’d hoped for laughter, teasing, the easy banter of before. Instead, Ethan seemed distant.
