Independent Widow

hat seemed to carry a weight of its own. A silent promise, maybe. But promises had been broken before, and Kendra had learned the hard way how fragile they could be. Yet, as she lo

voice low and concerned as

od. Just... it's been a long time since I've

ver leaving her face. "Like what?

for what was happening. It was deeper than that-an emotional connection, a familiarity that was b

asy to be scared after everything you've been through. But I'm not here to push yo

d to trust that this time could be different, but doubt was a hard thing to shake. Still, there was a small

ng on the small stoop beneath the soft glow of the porch light. The night had stre

" she said quietly, her eyes meeting his

rored her own. "I'm glad," he replied, his voice low. "I've been wanting to do

edge. But despite the wariness in her heart, she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him. Th

ck as she reached for the doork

m for a moment before he let it drop. "Ab

time in ages, she felt something other than fear. She felt hope. It was a small, fragile thing

even. They had talked about everything-work, their pasts, their childhoods. She had allowed herself to laugh, to open up in ways she hadn't in

ere was also a part of her that wished he would push just a little harder. She wasn't used to being in control of her emotions like this, to having someone not fight for her. She had spent so many years

something-an invitation, a gesture, anything that would tell her whether or not this was worth p

was

as she answered

ndra. It

ment, but she quickly recov

ure, just... I don't know, I've been thinking about you. And I'd really like to

s a constant reminder of why she shouldn't rush into anything. Yet, something about Noah's

ore she could second-guess her

. I'll pick you up at seven?"

moment, biting back a nervous la

it," Noah replied,

eing terrified of getting hurt again. But at the end of the day, she realized that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep hiding fro

As she finished getting ready, she glanced at herself in the mirror, trying to quiet the nagging doubts in her mind.

jacket and jeans, his usual effortless charm radiating from him. His

aid, his voice low, as h

st a little in his presence. "Thank

asy conversation, the kind that felt both natural and intimate. They talked about everything-books they'd read, movies they liked, places t

tion she was beginning to form with Noah. It was still early, and she wasn't ready to make any grand