48

The park was quiet, the late afternoon sun bathing everything in a golden glow. I stood near a cluster of trees, my back leaning against one of the trunks, as I waited for Levi. The breeze carried the faint scent of pine and the earthy smell of fallen leaves, and though it was soothing, it did little to calm the nervous flutter in my chest.

I spotted him before he saw me. Levi walked with his usual confident stride, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his dark jacket. His hair was slightly tousled from the wind, and the sunlight caught in his eyes, making them glimmer. When he finally noticed me, his expression softened, and a slow, crooked smile spread across his face—the kind of smile that made my heart skip a beat.

"Hey, sweetheart" he greeted as he approached, his voice low and warm.

I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a mix of shyness and anticipation. "Hey."

Levi didn't waste a second before stepping closer and wrapping me in a hug. His arms felt strong and steady around me, and I melted into the embrace. He smelled of coffee and something faintly woodsy, a comforting scent I had come to associate with him.

"You okay?" he murmured, his lips brushing the top of my head as he pulled back just enough to look at me.

I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. "Better now."

His hand slid down to take mine, his thumb brushing slow circles against my skin. That small, simple touch grounded me, made me feel like everything was going to be okay.

"Good," he said, his gaze lingering on me with an intensity that sent a warm flush up my neck. "I've missed you."

It had only been a day since we'd last seen each other, but hearing those words felt like a balm to my overthinking mind.

"Me too," I admitted softly, the confession slipping out before I could overthink it.

We began walking down the winding path that circled the small lake in the center of the park. The leaves crunched beneath our feet, and the distant sound of ducks paddling in the water filled the air. Levi didn't let go of my hand, and I didn't want him to.

"Remember when we used to argue about who could walk faster?" he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

I laughed, nudging him playfully with my shoulder. "Only because you hated that I always won."

His eyebrows shot up, and the mischievous glint in his eyes made my stomach flutter. "Always? That's a strong word."

"Accurate, though," I shot back, grinning.

He smirked, shaking his head. "Debatable."

The easy banter between us felt natural, like slipping into an old, well-worn sweater. But as we strolled in comfortable silence for a while, Levi's expression shifted. He glanced at me, his brow furrowing slightly, as though he was debating whether to speak.

"You've been quiet today," he finally said, his voice gentler. "Everything okay?"

I glanced down at our joined hands, my fingers tightening slightly around his. "I've just been thinking...about us. About how new this all feels, but also how...right it feels."

Levi stopped walking, gently tugging me to a halt. He turned to face me fully, his eyes searching mine. The sunlight dappled his face, highlighting the subtle stubble on his jaw and the softness in his expression.

He reached out, his fingers tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was tender, lingering just enough to make my breath catch. "It feels right to me too, Cora. Like I've been waiting for this without even knowing it."

His words struck something deep within me, and my chest tightened with emotion. I looked away for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts.

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely audible. "Scared of what this could mean. Scared of getting it wrong."

Levi's expression softened further, and he stepped closer, his hand still cradling my face. "You're not going to get it wrong, Cora. There's no right or wrong here. It's just...us."

I met his gaze, my heart pounding. There was so much sincerity in his eyes, so much patience and understanding.

"I don't know how to do this," I confessed, my voice cracking. "How to trust it. Trust myself."

Levi hesitated for the briefest moment before his other hand came up to cover mine, where it rested against his chest. His thumb stroked my knuckles, his touch firm but reassuring.

"You don't have to figure it out all at once," he said, his voice steady. "We'll take it one step at a time. Together."

That one word—*together*—made something inside me unravel. The weight I'd been carrying, the constant overthinking and second-guessing, began to feel just a little bit lighter.

"You make it sound so simple," I said, a small, shaky laugh escaping me.

"It's not," he admitted, his lips quirking into a soft smile. "But I think it's worth it."

For a moment, I just looked at him, taking in the way he stood there with so much quiet determination, like he was willing to fight whatever battle I needed him to. Without overthinking it, I reached out and slipped my hand into his again, threading our fingers together.

His smile widened at the gesture, and he squeezed my hand gently. "See? First step already done."

I laughed, the sound light and freeing. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"And yet, you're still holding my hand."

We resumed walking, his arm sliding around my shoulders to pull me closer. The park, with its golden light and crisp air, felt like it had been made just for us.

As the sun dipped lower, casting everything in a warm, ethereal glow, I realized something. This—being with Levi, laughing with him, trusting him—felt like home. Like maybe, for the first time in a long time, I was exactly where I was meant to be.