Taking Things Slow

His fingers reached out to gently touch mine, a gesture of reassurance and understanding. "I want that too, Layla. But I want you to be sure. I want us to be sure."

I nodded, a sense of determination settling within me. "I've thought about this a lot, Brad. And despite everything, I can't deny how I feel."

As he looked at me, his gaze softened, and I saw a flicker of hope and longing in his eyes. In that moment, I realized that we were both standing on the edge of something new, something that had the potential to be beautiful and transformative.

"Then let's take it one step at a time," Brad said, his voice certain. "Let's build something that's based on trust, understanding, and genuine affection. We'll go through this together, just like we've overcome everything else."

As his words sank in, a mixture of relief and excitement washed over me. The path that lay in front of us was uncertain, but the possibility of love and the promise of a future filled with hope were enough to carry u