The weekend before the first Advent was always special in the city. Lights twinkled on every street corner, shop windows gleamed with festive displays, and the air was filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon. This year, Nina found herself savoring the atmosphere more than ever before. It wasn't just the magic of the holiday season—it was the sense of new possibilities, something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Ever since her conversation with Daniel, Nina had felt a shift in her perspective. Writing had started to feel meaningful again. Her latest project—a piece on the local holiday market—was one she was truly excited about. Instead of gossip and celebrity fluff, she was diving into stories that celebrated community, that mattered to the people she was writing about.
The market itself was just as magical as she'd imagined. Set up in and around Daniel's small grocery store, local vendors had transformed the space into a cozy winter wonderland. Handmade crafts, freshly baked goods, and jars of golden honey were displayed on rustic wooden tables, while soft indie music played in the background. The smell of pine and spiced cider filled the air.
Nina smiled as she stepped through the door, shaking off the cold. It was the kind of market that felt like home—warm, intimate, and full of life. Daniel had been right; this wasn't just about selling goods. It was about bringing people together.
She spotted Daniel behind a table stacked with jars of honey and granola bars, his cheeks pink from the cold air outside. When he looked up and saw her, his face lit up in that familiar, shy smile she had grown so fond of.
"Hey, you made it," Daniel said, his voice soft but full of warmth. He fidgeted slightly, wiping his hands on his jeans. "I was starting to think you weren't coming."
Nina grinned, feeling the warmth of his presence chase away the lingering chill in the air. "Of course, I came. This place is amazing, Daniel. You've done a fantastic job."
Daniel blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. I mean, it's mostly the vendors doing the hard work. I just kind of... set it up."
"You're being too modest," Nina teased, stepping closer to the table. "This is exactly what people need right now—a little warmth, a little community."
Just as their conversation was starting to flow, a small boy tugged on Nina's coat. She looked down to see a wide-eyed child, no older than six, clutching a stuffed reindeer in one hand and staring up at the jars of honey with fascination.
"Excuse me," the boy said in a small, tentative voice. "What's this stuff?"
Nina blinked, taken off guard for a moment. "Uh, well, it's honey," she started, glancing at Daniel for help. She knew so little about the products Daniel sold and didn't want to steer the kid wrong.
Daniel quickly stepped in, crouching down to the boy's level with an easy, warm smile. "This is special honey," he explained gently. "It's made by bees that live right here in the city. They help the flowers grow, and in return, they make this honey for us. It's sweet and good for you."
The little boy's eyes widened, clutching his reindeer closer. "The bees make it? Really?"
"Yep," Daniel nodded, his tone playful but patient. "And if you want, I can give you a little taste."
The boy's face lit up with excitement. "Can I? Please?"
Daniel chuckled softly, reaching for a small spoon and dipping it into one of the jars. "Here you go, buddy. Just a little bit, okay?"
The boy eagerly took the spoonful of honey, his eyes widening even more as he tasted it. "Wow," he whispered, licking his lips. "It's really sweet!"
Daniel smiled, clearly enjoying the moment. "That's because the bees work really hard to make it just right."
YOU ARE READING
Late to Love
RomanceLukas and Nina have been friends since school, always sharing a close bond that carried them through the years. Now in their late twenties, they both work at a magazine publishing company. Lukas as an editor and Nina as a creative director. Over t...
