Love next door

weren't whi

the grocery store, the bank, the library where she worked. Smiles felt tighter. Conversations shorter. Even the

ng had

ryone k

en C

ho lived

mes in silence, just sharing the kind of comfort that didn't need words. The man whose music drifte

ughtful. Gentle in a way that so

a question mark they

-

r smelled of pot roast and lavender soap. Framed photographs

ere-but the call from he

ed to

mother stirred sugar into her tea like it w

her mother finally s

t respond

kind man," she of

nger," her m

"He's a teacher. Moved

m here, Jane.

wh

her spoon too hard

own is. This is the

always

n't a fantasy, sweetheart. You're not in one of your boo

The one where I'm the quiet librarian with

ched. Jane soft

threat, Mom. H

s not yo

at followed wa

re wrong. And I f

out, her mother's disappro

-

he told Damie

y flickering fireflies and the scent o

said that," h

e sorry. She's the o

not just her. It's this whole plac

d

t bothe

hesit

. "But not enough t

to live with people expecting less of me my whole life. I d

eserve

and took her ha

fingers laced, fireflies danci

nning the wrong way-but as long as they had this space betw

-

ng weeks, they f

rough Damien's gate instead of her front door. He always had coffee ready.

ow to slow danc

how to bake p

aughter, silence, and-

the blinds and laying gentle streaks across his back. She watched him bre

planned to

n. Not l

was hap

rifying and per

-

ame th

when Damien opened his front door to find t

. C

es

e in the neighborhood last night. Said your music was

"There was no pa

eside him. "Is

s shifted u

calm. "I think you h

already backing off. "Just k

, Jane turned to Da

so so

head. "It's n

licker in his eyes

him. He steppe

ng invisible h

-

ced the floor while Nina sa

new place. Try to be invisible. But somehow, I'

es drawn to her chest. "We

r. To them, I

what they th

ay tha

to him. "I've made my

g her cheek. "Then you need to be

a

again, and kissed her like it w

-

nted "Stay in your lane" i

rst. She dropp

ared at the wo

d with rage. "We're

firmly. "They wo

ve to-this i

seen something like this, Ja

s full. "You can't let

ared. I'm j

e stood there, fists cl

ealized just how heavy the

-

ne stayed up w

e police chief.

o heard her anymor

hem s

s not a

-

und her in his kitchen hold

that?" h

ties. Civil rights marc

closer. "H

was younger then

-and-white shot of Jane's father ho

e proud

ed. "I'm n

a

, eyes shimmering. "

ed before she c

fro

low, real, full

you to

-

at night like it

passion-bu

rom

st

-

promises

orning, a

Just five words scr

t safe

ed it like

ead it,

breaking poi

Steady. "No. But i

lk away. No s

forward, touc

th you than hide behind

s all he ne

-

ey st

eth

rs. Despite the cold shoulders at the

heir space. Their

al love, doesn't

jus

no painted slur-could c

nymor