Her mornings didn't feel as heavy, her writing flowed more freely, and the world around her seemed brighter. The pain of losing James

g group, deepening her connections with people who shared her passion. She volunteered at a local bookstore, helping to organize readings and poetry ni

ts, in the soft glow of the bookstore'

g chairs and preparing refreshments with a few other volunteers. As she carefully laid out cups and cookies, she noticed someone a

" he asked with a crooked sm

ightheartedness in his tone. "They are

fully. "Well, tell Sara she's a geni

g unfamiliar but welcome-a sense of ease wi

okie, nodding in approva

ering a small smile. "Are

he stage at the front of the room. "She's been working on a new co

ore of a fiction writer, actually. But I help out here sometimes. I lo

rest. "Fiction, huh? That's amazing.

e, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. As she spoke, Adam listened

hout the evening, she caught herself glancing in his direction. There was something different about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

-

bout writing, about life in general. Claire learned that Adam was a musician, playing guitar in a local indie band. He had traveled a lot in his twenties, living in various cities, but had recently moved back to Everbro

lively poetry reading, Adam approached

nter where she was organizing some books. "I wa

she said, tilting her

ight. It's nothing fancy, but I thought maybe you'd like to come.

hing she hadn't felt in months. She smiled

-

he door flickered in the night, casting a warm glow on the sidewalk. As she stepped inside, the hum of voices and the soft strum

uitar, looking focused yet relaxed. When he saw her, his face lit up

ul and raw, filled with emotion. His voice, deep and melodic, carried through the room, drawing the audience in. Claire could

n't thinking about the past or about how this new connection might fall apart. She was simply enjoying

her in the crowd, his face glowi

hink?" he asked, sl

onestly, feeling her cheeks flush. "

ck of his neck. "Thanks. It

venue under the stars. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and Claire fel

ked Claire to her car. They stood there for a moment,

ht," Adam said, his voice

re replied, sm

dam took a small step closer, his hand brushing hers. "W

th Adam would move in this direction so soon. But standing there, looking into his eyes, she

she said, her voi

e on her past. James had been a part of her story, but it was a chapter that had ended. Now, stan