Emily took a final look around the nursery to ensure everything was in its place before switching off the lights and heading out. After locking the front door, she turned around and saw Alex leaning against the tall birch tree nearby—the same spot he occupied the day before. This time, though, she wasn't surprised; she had grown accustomed to his sudden appearances. 

She started walking toward him, a familiar grin on his face, and she felt his eyes tracing her every move, from her tiptoes to her eyes. It made her feel surprisingly good. She felt seen and she wasn't accustomed to that feeling. Usually she felt invisible. Invisible to the whole world, unimportant to anyone. 

"You could at least try to be less obvious," she teased.

"You mean like you were at the café? Or in the hallway earlier today?" 

Emily felt her nervousness surge like lightning. She hadn't expected such a response and started stuttering, trying to come up with a witty comeback. But he quickly eased the tension by saying, "Relax, stary."

She looked at him sternly, letting him know that she wasn't pleased with the new nickname. Nevertheless, he leaned off the birch and moved closer to her. As a gentle breeze played with a strand of her hair, he gently tucked it behind her ear, his proximity making her squirm with both excitement and nervousness. 

"It's funny when you get all nervous."

Playfully, Emily pushed him away and changed the subject, "Anywaaay, how was your day with Marnie? Did she forgive you?"

"Uuu, very smooth, miss Em," he teased. Emily crossed her arms and looked at him. 

"Fine, I'll stop," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "You can ask Marnie yourself. She's waiting for us."

Emily assumed they would head to the café, but Alex pointed to the playground behind her. Turning around, she saw an excited Marnie waving at her. Emily felt a blush creeping up, realizing that Marnie could see, maybe even hear, everything from there. 

"Are you serious? You could've told me that before, you know."

Laughing, Alex replied, "Don't worry, I've been told she's great at keeping secrets."

"You're an idiot. You know that, right?" Emily playfully scolded as she started walking toward the playground.

"Meh, I've been called worse," Alex shrugged, thoroughly amused by her embarrassment.

As they approached, Marnie came running to them, her small frame engulfing Emily in a heartwarming hug. The love and innocence in the little girl's eyes made Emily's heart swell with affection. However, her recent embarrassment lingered, and Marnie's question only added to it. 

"Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend, then?" Marnie blurted out, her curiosity shining through.

Emily chuckled, trying to hide her embarrassment, and replied, "No, sweetie. We're just really good friends, right?" 

She turned to Alex, silently hoping he would back her up. Instead, he shrugged mischievously and grinned, "Oh, no way. This is way too fun, sorry. Mar, do you have any more questions?" 

His amusement at Emily's discomfort was evident, and he seemed eager to see where Marnie would take the conversation. She, however, had a better idea. She looked at Alex with a stern expression and said, "Axy, you can't kiss people when you are not boyfriend and girlfriend!" 

Both Alex and Emily burst into laughter. Quickly recovering, Alex clarified, "That's right, princess. But we never kissed."

The little girl seemed unconvinced, pointing to the spot they had stood earlier, "Yes, you did. I saw you there by the tree."

"I promise, Marnie, we didn't kiss. Your brother was just standing very close, so maybe it seemed like we did from a distance."

Seeing her suspicious look staring at him, Alex added "She's telling the truth, unfortunately."

"Why was he standing so close, then? Did you eat ice cream?" 

Emily felt confused by these questions. Still perplexed, she began explaining, "Umm, well, he was standing so close because..." 

"Yes, Mar. She was eating ice cream before and didn't see the smudge on her face, so I wiped it off," Alex smoothly interjected. 

Understanding dawned on Marnie's face, and she nodded, accepting her brother's explanation without question. 

"Ohh, okay. That happens to me a looot," she confessed, looking at Emily with an adorable grin.

Quickly moving on, she continued her inquisitive line of questioning. "What's your favourite ice cream?" she asked Emily, completely absorbed in the conversation as if the previous exchange had never happened. 

They stayed on the playground for some time, immersed in Marnie's vivid imagination and her unfiltered, witty remarks. She was an inquisitive little girl with a million questions swirling in her head, unafraid to blurt them out in the moment. Emily found it easy to connect with her, as she often did with children, appreciating their genuine curiosity and honesty. Emily couldn't help but appreciate those same traits in her big brother. He, like Marnie, had no filter and was unapologetically himself. 

As the evening approached, Alex announced that it was time to head to Mrs Kargle's for dinner and he invited Emily to join them. She swiftly declined the offer, feeling a million miles away from sharing a meal with her boss, especially considering the tone of their last conversation. After saying goodbye to Marnie, Emily was about to bid Alex farewell as well, but he interrupted her. 

"I'll swing by your place after I put her to sleep. Around 9?" 

His proposal caught Emily off guard, and her surprise was evident in her widened eyes. 

He followed up with, "Unless you don't want me to."

She knew he was playing a little game, trying to make her explicitly express her desire for him to come over. To evade the direct answer, Emily quickly diverted the conversation by asking, "How do you know where I live?" 

Alex paused, seemingly contemplating his response. Eventually, he replied, "Nancy told me," but his tone lacked conviction, leaving Emily with a hint of suspicion. Despite her curiosity, she didn't push further, instead deciding to meet him at 9 as planned. 

"I'll see you then. But we'll take a walk." 

Alex seemed about to say something in response, but Emily quickly interjected, "And no alcohol." 

She couldn't hide her concern, admitting that she didn't entirely trust herself around him when alcohol was involved. The uncertainty of her own reactions made her cautious.

Agreeing to her terms, Alex said, "It's a deal. See you later, stary," which elicited an eye roll from Emily. She waved them both goodbye and watched as they drove away. On her way back home, her mind buzzed with questions about Alex and the upcoming night.

Upon arriving home, she felt the nerves getting the better of her. She reminded herself to remain cautious and not let her feelings run away with her. After a quick meal, she drew herself a soothing bath to calm her nerves. But as the clock neared nine, her anxiety resurfaced, prompting her to clean the house frantically in a desperate attempt to occupy her mind. As the minutes ticked by, she began to think he might not show up. But just as she was losing hope, she heard a knock on the door. 

Emily quickly checked her appearance in the mirror, taking off her hairband and letting her hair down. She rarely left her hair loose, usually keeping it tied up in a ponytail. The sight of herself with loose hair made her feel strangely vulnerable. She heard the knock again, and with a deep breath, she called out, "Coming!" 

On her way to the door, she hesitated for a moment, glancing at the hairbands adorning her wrist. They held a deep sentimental value, each serving a specific purpose in her life. One of the hairbands, a lively explosion of colors and stripes, kept her hair in a neat ponytail. The second hairband, a delicate creation in pink with a lovely purple flower attached to it, was a personal keepsake. This one, she always kept on her wrist, ready to be snapped when she needed a moment of grounding or to break free from nervous habits. It had become an emotional anchor, a tangible reminder to stay composed and centered in times of uncertainty.

Contemplating the impression she wanted to make on Alex, Emily decided to tuck the hairbands away. She didn't want to seem childish or reveal her nervous tendencies. Instead, she aimed to exude composure and confidence, even though her heart fluttered with excitement.

She opened the door, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Alex, looking effortlessly handsome and captivating. He greeted her with a smile as she stepped out to join him for their evening stroll. 

They enjoyed each other's company, exchanging jokes and playful banter. The atmosphere was easygoing, and the initial nervousness began to fade away. They found a quiet bench on the path leading to the woods and decided to take a moment to rest. 

Seated side by side, Emily mustered the courage to broach a more intimate topic. She asked Alex about his sudden arrival in town and what brought him here. He opened up to her, revealing that it was all for his little sister. They had both endured a difficult childhood, and he wanted to be close to her and help her navigate life's challenges. While Alex shared some of his past, Emily sensed that he was still holding back certain aspects of his story. She understood that some wounds ran deep, and it might take time for him to fully trust her with every detail.

Feeling the genuine connection they were building, Emily decided to reciprocate and share her own difficult past with him. She spoke about the pain of losing Lucy, the void left by her father's passing, and the challenges she faced with her mother being away on a mission. As she opened up, she felt a sense of relief and comfort in confiding in someone who understood her experiences and emotions.

The night had been filled with genuine moments of connection, understanding, and a glimpse into each other's pasts. When it was time to part ways, he walked her home, the tension between them palpable. Alex's emotions seemed to dance on his face, torn between the desire to lean in for a kiss and the uncertainty that held him back. Emily had the same struggle in her mind. It was as if the universe itself conspired to keep them close, but their cautious minds hesitated to fully embrace the moment. 

Finally, as they stood before her doorstep, they could feel the weight of the unspoken desire in the air. Alex took a small step closer, the intensity of his gaze locking onto hers. Emily felt her heart race, her breaths growing shallow as a nervous excitement gripped her. The unspoken desire between them hung in the air like an invisible thread, connecting them in a magnetic embrace. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She had never been kissed before, and the prospect both thrilled and scared her. Yet, in that moment, all she knew was that she wanted it. She wanted him. 

As she glanced at his lips, a subtle flush of warmth spread across her cheeks. Alex's eyes flickered to her lips as well, and the shared longing between them was evident. He seemed to lean in, with a hint of hesitation. For a brief moment, their proximity felt like a precipice, on the verge of something exquisite and life-changing. But then, with a mix of longing and uncertainty clouding his expression, he pulled back, as if treading on fragile ground. Their connection was undeniable, yet there was something that held them both back. 

They exchanged soft, lingering gazes and said good night. As Emily retreated into her home, she started reliving it in her mind, wanting to remember every single detail. The moment had been charged with a sweetness that she had never experienced before. With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, she closed the door behind her, feeling the lingering presence of Alex still echoing in her heart. The night was filled with a sense of magic and the thrill of what could be, leaving her with the sweetest of dreams and a heart full of hope for what the future might hold.