Love Beyond Limits

vy conversation at The Nook, and though they had agreed to "try," the unspoken tension lingered betwee

r shoulders. Strings of twinkling lights adorned the stalls, the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine filling th

scene, and he caught himself smiling as he spotted Juliet weaving her way through the crowd. She

as she approached, her brea

replied, his

silence, the din of the mark

iet asked, brea

ng side by side, the distance bet

t led Jake to a stall selling handmade ornaments, pi

iful," she said,

e lingered on her rather

smile. "You're terrible at this. You're sup

d, his lips curving in

t insisted on trying candied almonds. Jake bought a bag for her, wat

hese," she said, h

lented, his expression softening

good," he

ity," Juliet s

at a stall offering hot cocoa. They sat on a

, "I used to come to markets like this with my

his interest pique

d slightly. "She passed awa

Jake said,

hough her eyes glistened. "She was

through him at her words.

tighter around her cup. "What about you? D

e usually kept buried. "Not really. My parents li

ed her head

n relationships. Growing up, everything was about success-grades, ac

d resting on his. "I'm sorr

mitted, his voic

between them grew stronger, their shared vulnerabilities w

to make that night, reality came

stors. The conversation had been smooth until one of the investors,

ing some interesting

ure stiffen

een with. A university student, no

l silent, all

" Jake said evenly, th

his face. "Well, just be careful. Relationship

lite laugh, but

in the form of Maya, who corn

talk," Maya said,

, though she had a sinking

g and successful, but he's also older. And people are

efensively. "Why does it

ent from ours. What happens when things get complicated? When you'

ack down. "I don't know, Maya. But I care abo

softening. "I just don't w

quietly. "But I have t

pective experiences. Jake had invited Juliet to his penthouse f

floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the c

le," she said, her v

faintly. "

lection merging with the city lights. "

s hands in his pockets.

yes searching his. "No. But it m

Jake sai

nt. I don't have my life figured out yet. And you'

here we are in life, Juliet. It's about what we mean to

ched, her defenses

between them, his lips brushing against hers i

rs melted away, leaving only the u

rlds loomed large. Jake faced increased scrutiny from his p

ch other, determined

e fireplace in Jake's penthouse, Jul

an really conquer al

his voice resolute. "I don't kno

rt swelling with both