Talk Things OutLana’s POVI sat at the café, my hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea, staring out the window. The sound of clinking plates and quiet chatter filled the air, but my mind was somewhere else. It had been a few days since Donovan reappeared in my life, and I still hadn’t sorted out how I felt about it. It was like the past and present had collided, leaving me in a haze.Leo had been patient, giving me the space I needed, but I could feel the clock ticking. I couldn’t keep both men in limbo, and I certainly couldn’t keep myself stuck in this in-between. I had to make a choice. But every time I thought about it, my stomach twisted.Caroline was right, I needed to talk to Donovan, to finally put everything to rest. What if I talked to him and old feelings came rushing back? What if I made the wrong decision?The door to the café opened, and I looked up to see Donovan walking in. Speak of the devil.My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, hoping he hadn’t spott
Safe Lana’s POV I woke up feeling warm and safe, wrapped in Leo’s arms. For a moment, I forgot where I was, but then it hit me—everything that happened yesterday. I had finally told him how I felt. I had finally let go of all the fear and doubt that had been weighing me down for so long. And now, here we were. Together. It felt surreal. I turned slightly, careful not to wake him, and looked at his face. He looked peaceful, his breathing steady, and I couldn’t help but smile. I had been so scared to open up, so afraid of what could go wrong. But looking at him now, I knew I had made the right choice. I had spent so much time trying to figure things out in my head—what I should do, what he might think—but in the end, I realized that sometimes you just have to leap. And I did. The sun was just starting to peek through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. It was early, but I didn’t mind. Being here, with Leo, made everything feel calm and right. Carefully, I tried to
Different Patterns Lana’s POV The day felt different today. Not just because of the sunlight streaming through the windows or the soft hum of the city waking up outside, but because I felt... lighter. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my chest, and for the first time in a long while, I could breathe freely. I sat at the small table in Leo’s kitchen, sipping on the tea he had made me. The air smelled of toast and eggs, a comforting scent that wrapped around me like a blanket. Leo was busy at the stove, humming some tunes under his breath as he flipped pancakes. I couldn’t help but smile. Who would’ve thought we’d end up like this? I watched him for a moment, still a little amazed at how things had changed so quickly. One day we were dancing around each other, unsure of what to say or do, and the next... we were here. Together. “Hey,” Leo called over his shoulder, breaking me out of my thoughts. “You okay over there? You’ve been staring at me for the last five minutes. I’
MemoriesLana’s POVAfter dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the bathroom. The mirror greeted me with a tired reflection. My hair was a mess, eyes were a little swollen from crying last night. I splashed some cold water on my face, hoping it would help me feel more awake, more ready to face the day.It didn’t.I grabbed my phone from the counter, half expecting a message from Leo. I wasn’t sure what I hoped he would say—maybe something to make me feel better, to remind me everything was going to be okay. But my screen was empty. No messages. No missed calls. Just silence.With a sigh, I tossed my phone onto the bed and stared at it for a minute. Why was everything so complicated now? Things with Leo had been great, but lately, it felt like we were drifting apart. He was busy with work, I was dealing with my mess, and somewhere along the way, we stopped talking. Talking.I didn’t know how to fix it.After forcing myself to get dressed, I decided to head out for a walk. Maybe som
A New Beginning Lana’s POV As we finished our drinks, Ethan glanced at his watch. “I should get going,” he said, standing up. “But... I’d like to see you again. Maybe we could catch up properly?” I looked up at him, surprised but not entirely opposed to the idea. “Yeah, maybe.” He smiled, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—hope, maybe? “I’ll call you,” he said before heading toward the door. As he walked out, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe today had brought more than just a shift in the air. Maybe it was the start of something new. Something unexpected. … Just an hour ago, I’d been caught off guard by Ethan’s unexpected visit, but now my thoughts turned back to my own life and the whirlwind of emotions I’d been feeling lately. My phone buzzed on the table, breaking my reverie. It was a message from Caroline: “Hey, just checking in! You still at the café?” I smiled at the screen and quickly typed back, “Yeah, just having coffee. Want to
Unexpected TurnsLana’s POVI smiled as I remembered my night with Leo. Our laughter and easy conversation had made me forget about everything else, even if just for a little while.I stretched and glanced at my phone. No new messages. I felt a flutter of disappointment but quickly reminded myself that it was still early. I got out of bed and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. The rich smell of brewing coffee filled the air, and I savored it while I thought about my plans for the day.As I sat at the kitchen table with my coffee, I could hear the faint chirping of birds outside. Caroline’s words echoed in my mind“You deserve to be happy.”It was true. I had spent so long in the shadow of my past, clinging to hurt and disappointment. I was ready to let go and embrace what was ahead.After finishing my coffee, I decided to go for a walk in the nearby park. The fresh air would be good for me. I grabbed my jacket and headed out. The park was a burst of colors, with trees showing of
Facing the PastLana’s POVAs I walked toward the café, my heart pounded in my chest. Each step felt heavier as memories of Donovan flooded my mind. I remembered the good times—the laughter, the love we once shared—but then I quickly thought of the hurt. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I needed to focus on the present, not the past.When I arrived at the café, I took a deep breath. The smell of freshly baked bread and coffee greeted me. I spotted Donovan sitting at a corner table, his hands clasped together, looking serious. He had that familiar look on his face, the one that made my heart ache and my stomach twist.“Lana,” he said softly as I approached.“Donovan,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.He motioned for me to sit down, and I did, keeping a little distance between us. I noticed his nervousness. “Thanks for meeting me,” he started. “I know this isn’t easy.”“No, it’s not,” I said, crossing my arms. “What did you want to talk about?”He sighed and ran a
Afresh & Anew Lana’s POV Once I finished cooking, I set the table for two, adding candles for a nice touch. I wanted tonight to feel special, to celebrate this new chapter in my life. The doorbell rang just as I finished putting the final touches on the table. My heart raced with excitement. I opened the door to find Leo standing there, a big smile on his face and a bouquet in his hand. “For you,” he said, handing me the flowers. They were vibrant and full of color, just like the feelings swirling inside me. “Thank you! They’re beautiful!” I said, inhaling their sweet scent. “Just like you,” he said with a wink. My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile back. We moved to the dining table, and I served us both dinner. As we ate, we talked about our day. Leo shared a funny story about his co-worker who accidentally sent a text to the whole office instead of just one person. I laughed so hard that I almost spilled my drink. “This is delicious,” Leo said, finishing his