Drawn (BWWM)

Lovers

Nalia stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead as she pushed Tiffany's stroller down the winding path of the park. The sunlight filtered through the trees, creating dappled patterns on the ground, but Nalia hardly noticed the beauty around her. Instead, her mind was clouded with thoughts of Gareth and the suffocating reality of her life.

As she strolled, she caught glimpses of other mothers with their children, laughing and playing, their joy starkly contrasting with the heaviness that lingered in her heart. She sighed, glancing down at Tiffany, who gurgled happily, her tiny hands reaching for the colorful mobile hanging above her.

"Just us, kiddo," Nalia murmured, forcing a smile. "We'll make it work."

They approached a small playground where a few children were playing, their laughter ringing in the air. Nalia found a bench nearby and settled down, enjoying a moment of peace as she watched Tiffany cooing and waving her arms.

Moments later, a man strolled by with a golden retriever at his side, his easy smile and relaxed demeanor catching Nalia's attention. He looked to be in his early thirties, with tousled hair and a warm expression that seemed inviting. As he walked past, he glanced at Tiffany, then met Nalia's gaze, a friendly spark igniting between them.

"Cute baby," he said, pausing a few steps away. "How old is she?"

"Almost six months," Nalia replied, her cheeks flushing slightly as she felt a strange flutter of interest. "Her name is Tiffany."

"I'm Alex," he introduced himself, kneeling down to scratch the dog behind the ears. "Is this your first?"

Nalia hesitated, the truth weighing heavily on her. "Actually, I'm a single mother," she admitted, a mix of pride and vulnerability in her voice. "It's just me and her."

Alex's expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. "That must be a challenge. But she looks like a happy little girl."

"She is," Nalia said, feeling a warmth spread through her at his genuine interest. "It's not easy, but I love being her mom."

They exchanged small talk, and Nalia found herself laughing at his jokes, the heaviness in her chest lifting slightly. There was something refreshing about his presence, an ease that made her feel seen in a way she hadn't in a long time.

"Would you like to grab a coffee sometime?" he asked, a hopeful glimmer in his eye as he straightened up. "I'd love to hear more about your adventures in motherhood."

Nalia's heart raced at the idea, a mix of excitement and guilt flooding her. But the thought of escaping the confines of her current life, even just for a moment, was tempting. "Sure, I'd like that," she replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

He fished a pen out of his pocket and jotted down his number on a napkin, handing it to her with a smile. "Text me, and we can figure out a time."

As he waved goodbye and continued on his way, Nalia looked down at the napkin in her hand, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her. She glanced at Tiffany, who was now contentedly sucking her thumb, blissfully unaware of the moment that had just unfolded.

For the first time in a long while, Nalia felt a flicker of hope. Maybe there was a way to carve out a life that was hers, a chance to explore what it meant to be more than just a mother or a wife. She pocketed the napkin, a small thrill dancing in her chest as they resumed their stroll through the park, Tiffany babbling happily as they moved forward into the unknown.

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Nalia stood by the front door, her purse slung over her shoulder and one hand gripping the doorknob. The house felt stifling, the walls closing in on her with every second. She just needed to breathe, to escape for a while. Tiffany was fed, bathed, and sleeping soundly upstairs. There was no reason Gareth couldn't handle things for a couple of hours.