I Love you After Sunset

CHAPTER 10 ECHOES OF FEELINGS

The summer in Maplewood continued with its lazy afternoons and warm evenings, where the fragrance of flowers mingled with the laughter of children playing in the park. Natasha threw herself into the community garden project with renewed fervor, finding solace and purpose in the nurturing of plants and the camaraderie of her friends, particularly Lily.

One sunny afternoon, as Natasha was weeding the rows of vegetables, she heard familiar voices approaching. She looked up to see Lily walking towards her, accompanied by Warren. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and she felt a mix of emotions stir within her.

"Hey, Natasha," Lily greeted warmly. "Warren and I thought we’d come by and lend a hand in the garden. Is that alright?"

Natasha forced a smile, her heart pounding in her chest. "Of course! I could use the help."

Warren smiled back at her, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "It’s been a while since I’ve been in a garden."

As they worked together, Natasha found it hard to focus. Warren’s presence beside her brought back a flood of memories—their shared laughter, their secret hideouts in the park, and the dreams they had once whispered to each other under the stars.

She stole glances at Warren as he talked with Lily, their easy camaraderie reminding her of what they once had. He seemed genuinely happy, laughing at Lily’s jokes and sharing stories from college. Natasha couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. Lily was everything Warren needed—kind, understanding, and supportive.

Throughout the afternoon, Natasha tried to bury her feelings, focusing on the tasks at hand and engaging in polite conversation. But with every laugh and shared moment between Warren and Lily, the knot of jealousy tightened in her chest.

As they took a break under the shade of the oak tree, Lily turned to Natasha with a smile. "You’ve done an amazing job with this garden, Natasha. It’s truly inspiring."

"Thank you," Natasha replied, forcing herself to meet Lily’s gaze. "I’m glad you both could come."

Warren nodded, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "You’ve created something beautiful here, Natasha."

Natasha felt her resolve weakening. She had spent so long trying to move on from her feelings for Warren, but being near him again brought everything rushing back. She knew it was irrational and unfair to feel this way, but she couldn’t help the ache in her heart.

As they continued to work, Natasha excused herself, claiming she needed to check on some plants at the other end of the garden. She walked away, fighting back tears of frustration and longing. She leaned against a wooden fence, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

Emily found her there a few minutes later, concern etched on her face. "Natasha, are you okay? You seem upset."

Natasha shook her head, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. "I don’t know, Emily. Seeing Warren with Lily—it’s harder than I thought. I thought I was over him, but…"

Emily hugged her tightly, offering silent support. "It’s okay to feel this way, Natasha. Warren was a big part of your life, and it’s normal to have mixed feelings. But remember, you deserve someone who loves you the way you deserve to be loved."

Natasha nodded, feeling a sense of clarity through her tears. She knew Emily was right. She couldn’t force her feelings away or pretend they didn’t exist. But she also knew she had to find a way to move forward, for her own sake.

When Natasha returned to the garden, Warren and Lily were still there, their laughter floating on the breeze. She took a deep breath and approached them with a small smile.

"Hey," she said softly, meeting Warren’s gaze. "Thank you both for coming today. I really appreciate your help."

Warren smiled back, his expression gentle. "Anytime, Natasha. It’s been nice to be back in Maplewood and see what you’ve been working on."

Lily nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with genuine warmth. "You’ve created something special here, Natasha. We’re happy to be a part of it."

As they finished their work for the day and said their goodbyes, Natasha felt a sense of acceptance settle over her. She knew that her feelings for Warren wouldn’t disappear overnight, but she also knew she had the strength to face them.

That evening, as she sat alone in her room, Natasha reflected on the day’s events. She realized that while she still cared deeply for Warren, her feelings had evolved. She couldn’t deny the bond they once shared, but she also knew that it was time to focus on her own happiness and let go of the jealousy that had clouded her heart.

With a sense of determination, Natasha made a silent promise to herself—to cherish the memories of her friendship with Warren while embracing the present and all it had to offer. She knew that true love, whether romantic or platonic, was built on understanding, respect, and acceptance. And with that realization, Natasha felt a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that she was on the path to finding her own happiness, whatever form it might take.