Chapter 65

Sarah's POV.

After a night of laughter, sex, and unexpected closeness, the world seemed to pause, allowing the moment to stretch a little longer.

I hadn't felt this content in a while. It was like waking up in the middle of a perfect dream, warm and safe.

The next morning. Richard stirred beside me on the couch, and I glanced over, a smile creeping onto my face.

His hair was tousled, and he had that peaceful look on his face like everything in the world was finally right.

I'd grown used to seeing Richard as this serious, nonchalant cold guy, but lately, there was this softer side of him I hadn't fully noticed before. Or maybe he was just letting me see it now.

A thought started bubbling in my mind, one I hadn't dared entertain before now: could we make this work?

This feeling between us was new, hopeful, and so different from what I'd expected. My heart raced a little faster as I imagined a life with Richard-a real, shared life, with all the messy, funny, warm moments that came with it. "Morning," Richard mumbled, eyes barely open, his voice warm with sleep.

"Morning," I replied softly, trying to keep the swell of emotion from overtaking my voice.

He blinked a few times, a gentle smile on his lips. "Do you want coffee? I think I can manage that much."

"Only if you make it as strong as last time," I teased, remembering how he'd practically jolted me awake with the strength of it.

Richard chuckled and stood up, stretching before shuffling into the kitchen. I stayed on the couch, pulling a blanket around me, and listened to the clink of mugs and the sound of the coffee brewing.

many mornings we might share like this, if this

new territory for me-to think about a real future with someone like

he gave me a curious look. "What's going on in that head of

and sipped slowly, taking a few seconds to gather my thoughts. "Just... thinking about

face softening.

guess I just wonder what you see for yourself-like, where

wrong things. But lately... I've been realizing that what I want isn't out there somewhere. It's here, with you." The words hit me deeply, sending warmth through my chest. I felt a strange mixture of excitement and fear. "That sounds

real partnership. I want us to be there for each other, to build something we're both proud of. I know I've made mistakes, but I want to do

him, his sincerity shining through, and felt my heart swell. "That sounds... really nice. And a

"I'm scared too. But that's kind of what makes it worth it, right?

one doing the assuring, now the reverse is the

was something grounding in his touch, a promise that felt deeper than

now. Just a promise to keep showing up for each

rest of the morning quietly, enjoying each other's company in

best places we'd ever traveled, the most embarrassing moments we could remember, and

heard, the more I realized how much there

outside to take a walk. The snow was crisp beneath our boots, and every step left a fresh

through a world

laughed, recalling our

That was the most stylish snowman on the block," he

a corner together, acknowledging the possibility of a future we could build with

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