The Road to Us

mfortable together-no, it was the feeling that seemed to settle inside her whenever she thought about it. That slight, unexplained jealousy that had c

ask if she wanted to hang out, that Emma allowed hers

when she picked up the

ied, trying to sound

y. Maybe grab coffee and just... relax for a

give Rachel so much of his attention. But she couldn't let that stop her from

offee sounds good. I'll meet

voice full of the usual

-

asual kind of feeling she was used to when meeting Max-it was different. She couldn't tell whether it was the li

. When he saw her, his face lit up with a smile tha

ng up to pull out her cha

something a little uncertain i

was an awkward silence between them,

ittle unsure. "I've been meaning

skipped a bea

ing with his coffee cup as he

she forced herself to remain calm, to not

wanted to make sure you know that it's nothing betwe

ay the words out loud-felt like a weight lifting off her shoulders. But s

ent?" she asked quietly, her voice

n a gesture that felt both comforting and intimate. "I didn't realize it was affecting

else. Something she couldn't quite name yet. "It's not

le shy this time. "It's okay

It wasn't just about Rachel anymore. It was about the unspoken understanding that seemed to hang between them now. There was somet