★Cassandra★
By the time I stepped into my office the next morning, I felt more grounded than I had in days. A little tired, yes, but steady. Focused. Ready to work. After the walk with Nathan last night, something inside me had shifted. Maybe it was the warmth of the marina lights, or the way he reached for my hand without hesitation. Or maybe it was the way I held on without thinking twice. Whatever it was, I felt lighter today. More sure. More willing to step into whatever came next. I set my bag down, turned on my computer, and began reviewing the morning reports. Pauline came in a few minutes later, carrying my printed schedule and a fresh cup of coffee, an unspoken gesture of support she had adopted over the past few weeks.
“Morning,” she said with a soft smile.
“Morning,” I replie
