They walked through the park slowly, as if they had all the time in the world. Their conversation flowed gently — about what they enjoyed, what made them happy, what they wanted to do one day. The sun was slowly setting behind the trees, its light filtering through the leaves and dancing across their faces.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDmZH8LIvx
Then Max mentioned,"You know, I've got about twenty tattoos. I really love tattooing. I even do it myself… One day I want to open my own studio."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUqs3xb9Il
Nicol looked at him with a smile."That sounds pretty cool. Would you show me some?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0IBh4yU81
Max held out his hand, showing her a small flower tattooed between his knuckles. Then he took off a ring — shaped like a star — and underneath it was a large star tattoo, bold and black.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMLKVuVv5I
Nicol was quiet for a moment, then smiled again."I really like that. And your rings… you've got great taste."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgWpO4BVp2
They were getting close to the edge of the park. Behind a low fence, deer wandered peacefully, and goats grazed nearby. In the distance, the soft sounds of other animals could be heard. The park felt still, almost magical, as if time had paused for just a while.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSoDvwDGal
Max pointed toward a path leading beyond the trees."Come on, I want to show you something."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ41DEWrCe
They kept walking. The trail brought them to a spot where the trees opened up, revealing a view of the river. The surface shimmered in the fading light, and swans glided calmly across the water.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgJgnzNO0W
Nicol looked around and—30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE761mE06V
They sat down on a bench facing the river, and Nicol couldn't get enough of the view. She loved it — the calm water, the swans, the way the last light of day lit everything in gold.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuDMxbLTKK
She glanced over at Max and caught his eyes. They held the eye contact a little longer than usual, and Nicol couldn't stop smiling.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96KrMSDc94
"So," she asked softly, "what can you tell me about yourself?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamXPP7wkm0
Max hesitated for a moment, then said,"There's something I have to confess."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRLCR33umF
That caught Nicol's attention. For a second, she thought it might be something serious.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zej5nRgNd
Max sighed."I'm kind of embarrassed about it. I'm 23… and I still live with my mom."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslUssPSmDb
Nicol burst out laughing — not in a mean way, but genuinely amused.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKMoaiIf3H
Max looked at her, slightly puzzled."What's so funny?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMOLasKsg8
"Oh, come on," Nicol said, still grinning, "that's totally fine."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rBwmLEwuM
"Really?" he asked, surprised.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVITMb0rbGy
"Yeah, really." She looked him in the eyes and smiled again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp15bb0WTM5
Max smiled back."It's just… I've got friends who are younger than me, and they already have their own place. And I'm like—"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPcBban0f
"—It's okay," she interrupted gently.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvN8pFz5Ji
Max looked at her and asked,"And what about you? Tell me something about yourself."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx3i90FOBl
Nicol smiled and replied,"Well… I've lived with my grandmother since I was little — you already know that. I love writing books."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl2xZ44OSp
Max's face lit up."I love when someone has passions like that. Maybe one day you'll write about Mr. Right. 'He pulled me into his arms, and I never wanted to leave…'"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRMZ4bAqAA
They both laughed, and Nicol nudged him playfully."Maybe I will… who knows," she said with a smile.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NsiD2hFbN
They had moved deeper into the park now. As they walked, Nicol couldn't stop laughing at Max's jokes. She liked the way he talked, the way he looked at her. Then he turned to face her, his gaze lingering just a little longer. Nicol started to feel something — something slow and quiet but real. The way he looked at her… no one had ever looked at her like that before.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwyh6u1MsS
Their eyes met again."We have the same eye color," Nicol said softly.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA7sZyGTFo
Max had warm hazel-green eyes. Nicol's were a soft green mixed with hints of brown — light and full of expression.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzZi8j8EYK
"I don't think so," Max said suddenly.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKZ2VLzeRc
Nicol blinked. For a second, she felt something twist inside her — a flash of insecurity, wondering if he wasn't interested after all. A dozen thoughts rushed through her head.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxARwzTAktJ
But then Max smiled and added,"I think yours are way more beautiful."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kbhan0bV3
She laughed and opened the energy drink he had given her earlier. He opened his too. With every joke Max made, with every word he spoke, Nicol felt the corners of her lips lift again and again. There was something about him — something so sweet and easy to love.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3niUkhiDr
And in that moment, all Nicol really wanted to do… was kiss him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbqCKtxerK
But she was too shy.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQN6HIPVvh
Then Max asked her,"Wanna go for a walk?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2tRzjUXOA
"Sure," Nicol replied.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnxM2dV0SK
As they walked, the air was getting colder. Patches of snow had turned into icy spots on the ground. At one point, Nicol slipped — her foot sliding right out from under her — but Max caught her just in time.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtcQlR5b6Z
She burst out laughing."I'm such a klutz."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJKNkiUsdD
Max grinned."Yeah, you really are."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHXOR3zOre
They both laughed as they kept walking. The topic shifted when Nicol brought up something her friends had told her.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ztoWmVACn
"They said you're probably some kind of creep… just because you're five years older than me."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrnKLf3kE0
Max laughed out loud and teased,"Well then… you better watch out for me."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8AOcc1d74
Nicol giggled."Oh, please. I'm not scared of you. I know you're not some creep. You're sweet, kind… and funny."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvepHJbYS0h
Max looked at her and smiled. She smiled back, and they kept walking, step by step in the crisp winter air.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ftUaP1JY
They started talking about school, about the future, their dreams. Max told Nicol he had finished studying design and graphic arts — that he'd been to university.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4lFIcTyy8
"Wow," Nicol said. "That's way ahead of me. I'm just a student… and I work part-time as a shop assistant."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNAnbXLOEy
Max shook his head."There's nothing wrong with that. My mom used to work as a shop assistant too — now she owns her own hair salon."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UN1a3wjVl
"Whoa, really? That's awesome," Nicol said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoYxBaCNrr
They walked across a small wooden bridge, their breath visible in the cold. The conversation turned back to college — to why Max hadn't finished some courses at first. He started ranting about one of the professors, imitating her voice, and Nicol joined in the laughter, barely able to stop.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtjtMrKsGM
"I think I'd like to finish school and get my diploma for the field I started in."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKaTmmNnrP
Max nodded."That's a good idea."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgxSsGNkQh
"Yeah, but… I don't really enjoy the subject," Nicol added. "So I probably don't want to work in it. I don't see myself as a shop assistant forever."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXjWlaGcaF
"I get that," Max said. "Totally understandable."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShfyOzesJc
After a moment, Max looked at her and asked,"Why are you still holding your phone in your hand? Put it in your bag."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e7EisRZOY
Nicol laughed."I don't know! I guess I'm just used to holding it all the time."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH7kzCM0tq
They both started laughing again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGf02ncubP
Meanwhile, Max's thoughts were somewhere else. A part of him really wanted to hold her hand — to feel that little connection — but he didn't get the chance. Her hands were either tucked into the pockets of her jacket… or busy holding that phone.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H4uXnZNix
As they walked further, their conversation shifted again. Max asked,"So… if you weren't working in retail, what would you actually want to do?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡherjNRPKQv
Nicol thought for a second."I think I'd love to work with houses — decorating them, furnishing them. That kind of stuff. I enjoy it... probably because I play The Sims 4 a lot."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvefJ7b9dSG
"You play Sims?" Max looked at her, surprised. "You never told me that!"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRaYDdMMxt
"Yes I did," Nicol said with a smirk. "We talked about it when we were texting."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPAAlXQFGO
They stopped for a moment, laughing."No way, you definitely didn't," Max said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RpJNgGo3M
"I so did," Nicol insisted, still smiling.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQTZCBmmwJ
"Alright," Max grinned, pulling out his phone. "Let's check. I'm opening Instagram — searching our messages."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgykBfdLz2
He scrolled for a second, then said,"See? It's not there."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAmoj1xxaR
He raised an eyebrow."So who'd you tell that to? What other guy?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9SkFyzD3U
"Oh please," Nicol laughed. "No one. Just you."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb6KwWY8Xm
They both burst out laughing again. Then Max started telling her about his day."I went to the hairdresser earlier today," he said. "Told my friend I was thinking of shaving off my mustache."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqQPB9uAEF
"What?!" Nicol laughed.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPrzUhfCJp
"Yeah," he nodded. "And she was like, 'Are you crazy? It looks good on you!'"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhs43bFYuI
He glanced at her."I was gonna shave it because, you know… back when we hadn't met yet, you said I looked better without it."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBciTX9PFW
Nicol stopped walking for a moment."Oh, come on. It actually suits you. I'm glad you didn't shave it."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobc2bnTY5r
Max looked at her and smiled. Their eyes met again, and for a few seconds, they just stayed like that — quietly, comfortably.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOEzpLLm4M
They walked a short path before Max pointed ahead and said,"There's a bus stop here. This one goes to your town… you know, just in case you feel like escaping."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zy9rQdksh
Nicol burst out laughing."Oh, stop it — I don't want to escape!"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfcBjbey8U
They passed by a building, and Max pointed at it with a grin."Look, I'll drop you off at the Alzheimer's home."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1StXSkbQR4
"No way!" Nicol laughed. "Don't you dare!"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyT6Z37o0F
She couldn't stop giggling. One of the things she liked most about him was how he could joke about absolutely anything — and make it funny without trying too hard.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoI3cDbrvg
They kept walking and talking about their families. After a while, Max looked at her curiously.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZITp5Kyqg
"Why do you always walk on the side of the sidewalk closest to the road?"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta3wdxAcmP
Nicol laughed."Because… I don't know? That's normal!"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlG2REEr0t
Max shook his head with a smirk."You know there's a rule, right? The lady walks on the inside, and the guy on the side closer to the street — to protect her."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx92k8FnMB
Nicol smiled at him teasingly."Relax, nothing's going to happen. I'll be fine."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1di7QvkicP
She laughed again — but she liked that. She liked that he cared, that he was a bit of a gentleman without even realizing it.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHhRfCANUA
Just then, a cyclist came speeding from behind — right past Nicol — ringing his bell loudly. She jumped a little, startled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm1qbW2Eey
Max immediately pulled her gently to his side."See?" he said. "That's exactly what I was talking about."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUmCRSpDU5
Nicol laughed, her heart still racing a little."Alright, alright — you were right!"30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVmIzKruBr
They both laughed again as they kept walking, the mood even lighter than before.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLjim3Oxdi
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