Updated Feb 20, 2026 • ~5 min read
LUCIA
The week drags.
Every day feels like a year.
But I don’t push.
I give West space like I promised.
Paloma is cautiously optimistic.
“He said he loves you. That’s huge.”
“He also said he doesn’t know if love is enough.”
“But he’s willing to try. That’s what matters.”
I want to believe her.
But I’m terrified.
Terrified that one wrong move will break this fragile thing between us.
WESTLEY
I tell my family about the decision.
Mom is thrilled.
“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.”
“Don’t get too excited. We’re taking it slow.”
“Slow is good. Slow means you’re being intentional.”
Dad is more reserved.
“You sure about this, son?”
“No. But I’m doing it anyway.”
He nods.
“Sometimes that’s all you can do.”
Jonah pulls me aside.
“You made the right call.”
“You think?”
“I do. She’s good for you, West. Even with the messy start.”
“What if she lies again?”
“She won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she almost lost you. People don’t make the same mistake twice when the stakes are that high.”
I hope he’s right.
LUCIA
Friday finally comes.
Seven PM.
West picks me up.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
The awkwardness is still there.
But it’s different now.
Less painful. More hopeful.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Pike Place Market. I want to show you something.”
“Okay.”
We drive downtown.
Park and walk through the market.
It’s crowded even on a Friday night.
He leads me to a bookstore.
Small. Indie. Tucked in a corner.
“This is my favorite place in Seattle,” he says.
“Really? Not some architectural landmark?”
He laughs.
“This is an architectural landmark. Built in 1912. Original brick. Original layout.”
We browse.
He shows me the architecture section.
I show him the romance novels.
“Do you actually read these?” he asks.
“Every single one.”
“What do you like about them?”
I think about it.
“The hope. No matter how bad things get, there’s always a happy ending.”
“You believe in happy endings?”
“I want to.”
He looks at me.
“Me too.”
WESTLEY
We grab dinner at a small Thai place nearby.
Nothing fancy.
Just two people eating pad thai and talking.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you,” I say.
“Like what?”
“Anything. Something real.”
She thinks.
“I’m afraid of the dark. Like, irrationally afraid. I sleep with a nightlight.”
I smile.
“That’s adorable.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“It’s human.”
“Your turn,” she says.
“I can’t whistle. Never learned how.”
“Really?”
“Really. Jonah tried to teach me when we were kids. I just can’t do it.”
She laughs.
It’s the first real laugh I’ve heard from her in weeks.
I realize I missed it.
“What else?” she asks.
“I’m terrified of failing.”
The admission surprises even me.
“At what?”
“Everything. My career. Relationships. Life in general.”
“Is that why you held onto Carmen for so long? Fear of failing at that relationship?”
Damn.
She’s perceptive.
“Maybe. Probably.”
“And now? With us?”
“Now I’m terrified of failing again. But I’m trying anyway.”
She reaches across the table.
Takes my hand.
“Me too.”
LUCIA
We walk along the waterfront after dinner.
It’s cold but I don’t care.
“Can I ask you something?” I say.
“Yeah.”
“When did you know you wanted to give me another chance?”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“The letter. When you wrote about guilt being your constant companion. I realized—you punished yourself more than I ever could.”
Tears prick my eyes.
“I did. I do.”
“I don’t want you to punish yourself, Lucia. I want you to forgive yourself.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Start by accepting that you made a mistake. Not a malicious choice. A mistake.”
“It was a pretty big mistake.”
“Yeah. But you’re human. Humans make mistakes.”
We stop walking.
Face each other.
“I’m scared,” I whisper.
“Of what?”
“Of messing this up. Of losing you again.”
He cups my face in his hands.
“You’re not going to lose me. Not if you’re honest with me.”
“I will be. I promise.”
“Then we’re okay.”
He leans in.
Kisses my forehead.
Not my lips.
Just my forehead.
It’s gentle.
Careful.
Perfect.
WESTLEY
I drop her off at her apartment.
Walk her to her door.
“I had a really good time tonight,” she says.
“Me too.”
“Same time next week?”
“Actually—I was thinking we could do something sooner. If you want.”
Her eyes light up.
“Really?”
“Yeah. The community center opens tomorrow. I have to be there for the ribbon cutting. Want to come?”
“I’d love to.”
“It’s at noon. I’ll pick you up at eleven?”
“Perfect.”
We stand there.
The urge to kiss her is overwhelming.
But I resist.
Not yet.
“Goodnight, Lucia.”
“Goodnight, West.”
I wait until she’s inside.
Then I walk to my car.
This is working.
Slowly. Carefully.
But it’s working.
LUCIA
I call Carmen the second I’m inside.
“We had our first real date.”
“And?”
“And it was perfect. He’s giving me a real chance, Carmen.”
“I told you he would.”
“You did.”
“So what now?”
“Now we take it slow. Build trust. See if we can make this work.”
“You will. I know you will.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re both choosing each other. Every day. That’s what love is.”
I want to believe her.
And for the first time in weeks, I think I do.
WESTLEY
I’m in bed when Mira texts me.
Mira: Heard you’re back with the girl. Congrats.
Word travels fast.
Me: Thanks. Taking it slow but yeah.
Mira: She’s lucky.
Me: I’m the lucky one.
And I mean it.
Despite everything.
Despite the lies and the pain and the mess.
I’m lucky to have found Lucia.
The real Lucia.
I set down my phone.
Close my eyes.
And for the first time in months, I sleep soundly.
END OF CHAPTER 16
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