Two guarded souls who recognize the ache in each other, trying not to fall too hard but drawn together anyway. Their love simmers beneath the surface-fierce, quiet, and complicated. He's her storm in silence; she's his peace in chaos
*Unedited
𝑷𝑼�...
Pushing open the heavy glass door to the restaurant, Brooklyn was immediately met with the hum of conversation and the faint sizzle of food coming from the open kitchen in the back.
The smell of garlic, butter, and grilled meat filled the air, wrapping around her like warmth. A hostess gave her a polite smile from the stand, but Brooklyn waved her off and pulled her phone from her purse to text.
"I'm here."
Before she could even lock the screen, a text bounced back.
Kimberly: Look up. :)
She did—and spotted her immediately.
Toward the back, seated near the window, Kimberly was already waving with a soft smile stretched across her face.
She looked effortlessly put together, glowing even under the dim hanging lights. Brooklyn weaved through the crowd, offering quick apologies as she slid past other waiting guests.
And when she finally reached her—standing in front of the table, fully facing her now—Brooklyn paused for a second, subtly taking her in.
Kimberly was beautiful. That kind of quiet, maternal beauty that still held a softness in the eyes but a sharpness in how she carried herself.
Her long black body wave hair was slicked into a sleek ponytail that showed off a tattooed script curling from her shoulder to the edge of her neck.
She wore a mocha-colored long-sleeve bodycon dress that hugged her figure without apology. It flowed down to her ankles, hiding any more tattoos she might've had.
Her frame was fuller than Brooklyn remembered—curvy arms, a generous chest, and most noticeably, the seven-month baby bump rounding out the front of her dress.
"Hey, boo," Kimberly greeted, her warm Miami accent laced into every word like a melody.
Brooklyn smiled, caught slightly off guard by how genuine her energy felt. "Hey... wow."
Her eyes dropped instinctively to Kimberly's belly. It protruded gently beneath the ash-white knit cardigan draped across her shoulders, rising and falling with every breath.
"Girl. You are glowing," Brooklyn said as she sat down, slipping the strap of her purse over her head and laying it in the empty seat beside her.
Kimberly laughed, waving her hand like she didn't believe it. "Chile, please. Glowing? I'm sweating and can't feel my back. But I'll take it."
