The Colors of Healing

moments with Daniel-the way he looked at her under the stars, the quiet confidence in his voice as h

ent. He didn't push, didn't demand, but his sincerity was a challenge i

ith his name on the scr

reat. Unless you're scared I'l

ed despit

ust your ta

PM. I'll pi

y in a leafy part of town. Candlelight flickered on the dark wood

aid as they sat down, her voice

t. Something about it reminded me of y

. She picked up the menu, pretendin

ning with every shared story and knowing glance. Maya found herself

wn, Daniel's tone shifte

es locking onto hers. "

, then nodded

impses of who you are-this passionate, brilliant artist-bu

ke a wave, and for a mo

g. "I guess I've been hurt before. Letting

ng. "I get that. But keeping people out-does that r

t tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She l

w to stop," she

His touch was warm, grounding. "It doesn't have to happen

almost too much to bear. "Why do you care so mu

," he said. "And I think

o fall away. No one had ever said something like that to

, Maya felt something shift within her. Maybe she wasn't ready to tear down

eady and comforting. When they stopped at her

" Maya said, her voice

ile that seemed to unravel her. "Than

pressed a kiss to his cheek. It was brief, but the way h

iel," she said,

a," he replied,

rt pounding. She didn't know what the future held, but for the