Later, at Books & Beans, I see Ava. Standing behind the counter, the way the light hits her hair makes it glow. I want to reach out, tell her everything—the fear, the hope, the love—but my voice catches in my throat.
So I just stand there, quiet, until she notices me.
Her eyes flicker with surprise, then something unreadable. She wipes her hands on her apron and steps closer.
“You heard?” she asks, voice low.
I nod, swallowing hard. “Asher told me.”
She looks away for a moment, then back. “I didn’t want you to find out this way.”
“I wish you told me,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
She sighs, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I wasn’t sure how to. I’m sorry.”
I step a fraction closer, careful not to cross the line I promised not to. “Ava, I don’t want to lose you. But I can’t force you either.”
Her eyes search mine, softening. “I don’t know what I want yet.”
“Whenever you’re ready. I’m here.”
She gives me a small, shaky smile—the kind that holds both hope and fear.
And in that moment, even with everything uncertain, it feels like maybe… maybe there’s still a chance.
I watch her walk away, the small smile still lingering on her lips, and my chest tightens. Every step she takes feels like both a promise and a threat—like she’s walking toward something new but leaving me standing still.
I want to shout after her, tell her how much I need her, how much I’ve been hurting every single day since that kiss. But I bite back the words. Because if I push now, if I try to hold on too tight, I might lose her for good.
I’m not ready to give up. Not yet.
I replay her words over and over in my head.“I don’t know what I want yet.”The uncertainty cuts deep, but it also leaves a crack wide enough for hope to slip through.
Maybe this space she needs isn’t a goodbye. Maybe it’s just the pause before we find our way back to each other.
Or maybe it’s a chance for both of us to heal, to become the people we need to be before we can be together.
Either way, I’m here. Waiting. Hoping.
Because some things are worth the wait, no matter how much they hurt.
Chapter seven
Ava
Ican’tbelieveIagreed to this. The whole night feels like one awkward stumble after another. Henry — the guy I matched with on the dating app — hasn’t stopped talking about himself. Or worse, complaining about his ex. I try to smile, nod, keep things polite, but inside, I’m counting the minutes until it’s over.
Finally, he offers to drive me home. Relief floods me, but I hesitate, then say, “Actually, can you drop me off at the store instead? I need to pick something up.”
He shrugs but agrees. As soon as the car stops in front of the store, my heart beats a little faster. This should be simple — just a quick goodbye.
But then Henry leans toward me, and before I can think, he tries to kiss me.
My body stiffens. I pull back sharply. “No,” I say firmly.
His smile fades instantly, replaced by something cold and confused. “Come on, Ava, don’t be like that.”
