Chapter 13
13
Leo
As I park the car, the sun flickers and the gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming jasmine. Brylee comes into view, her hair shimmering in the sunlight like a halo. My heart skips a beat at the sight of her. She looks up and smiles, a radiant beam that warms my soul, making me forget all about the worries and stresses of the day.
I quickly get out of the car, my steps eager as I close the distance between us. “What are you doing here?”
Brylee tucks a loose strand of hair behind her hair. “Oh, just thought I’d take a stroll and maybe see if you were around.”
“Well, you’re in luck then. Wanna come inside?”
“I could use a drink,” she says, following me.
I grab two cold beers from the fridge. She has been coming over more lately. Maybe that’s a good sign. I hand Brylee a cold bottle and pop open mine, taking a long sip as I study her features. She takes a sip, a contented sigh escaping her lips and we sink into the couch.
“I’ve been thinking… about everything that’s been happening lately…I know I have these… issues, you know? Trust issues, abandonment issues… I was stuck in that cycle.”
I reach out and take her hand in mine, offering her a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes as she looks at me. “I’ve been seeing a therapist. Trying to work through all of this… trying to find some peace within myself.”
We discussed not rushing into anything, especially with her mentioning she wants to figure some things out first. “Have they been helping?”
“She has helped me work through all these tangled emotions that have been haunting me for so long.”
I listen as she opens up about her struggles, her words painting a vivid picture of the battles she has fought within herself. The vulnerability in her eyes tugs at my heart, urging me to offer her comfort and support in any way I can. I reach out and gently brush a stray stand of hair away from her face, my touch light and comforting.
“I admire your strength and resilience. You’ve been through so much, and yet here you are, facing the demons head-on.”
She gives me a small, grateful smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “It hasn’t been easy, but being here with you… it feels different. It feels right.”
“I’ll be here for you every step of the way.”
Brylee’s eyes search mine. “How can you be so sure? I’ve pushed people away before… I’ve sabotaged good things because I was scared.”
I squeeze her hand, the warmth of our connection grounding me. “Because I know the depths of my own heart. I see the light within you, Brylee, even when you find it hard to believe in yourself.”
Tears glisten in her eyes. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It’s not simple,” I reassure her, “but it is worth it. Love is not always easy, but when you find someone who sees all of you— the light and the shadows—and chooses to stay, that’s where true happiness lies.”
Brylee leans closer, her head resting on my shoulder as she lets out a sigh. “I want to believe in us… I want to believe that we can navigate through the storms together.”
“We will,” I promise, wrapping my arm around her. “We’ll weather every storm that comes our way.”
As Brylee nestles closer to me, the tension in her slowly melts away.
“I've never felt this way before. It's like you see straight into my soul and accept every part of me.”
I hold her close, savoring the warmth of her presence against my chest. “You are worthy of love in its purest form, Brylee. Every scar, every flaw, they only make you more beautiful in my eyes.”
She lifts her head to meet my gaze. “What do we do now?”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I lean in to brush a gentle kiss on her forehead. “We take it one step at a time. Tomorrow night, come back here for dinner. Let me cook for you.”
Brylee's face lights up with a radiant smile, like a fragile flower blooming under the first rays of sunlight. “I'll be here.”
Her fingers linger on mine, a fragile smile plays on her lips. This moment feels like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure of what lays beyond but willing to take the leap nonetheless. With a gentle touch, I cup her face in my hands, tracing the curve of her cheek with my thumb.
“I’ll cook your favorite meal. And we’ll savor each bite.”
“There is a lot more happening tomorrow than that. So be ready!”
Brylee stands up, a tender smile lingering on her lips and I watch her graceful figure move towards the door. A new chapter is beginning, one filled with possibilities and shared dreams, a re-do. Everything I have been waiting for.
As she reaches for the doorknob, she turns back to look at me, a softness in her gaze that stirs something deep within my soul. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
I nod, unable to form any words as I watch her leave, the echo of her footsteps on the porch fading into the night. Closing the door behind her, I lean against it, feeling a rush of emotions flood through me.
The realization hits me then - maybe this is the start of something real, something lasting. We have both done things in the past, but I can’t hold on to those any longer. This second chance is a blessing.
As I stand there in the quiet of the night, contemplating recipes and ingredients for our dinner together, a sense of contentment settles over me. The universe has conspired to bring us together again.
Tomorrow will be a new beginning, a chance to create new memories that will last a lifetime. Stories that we can share with own children and grandchildren someday.
I’m going to make every minute with Brylee count.