For Your Love | Keith Powers

Three.

The next morning, Yara woke up to the soft sound of Leigh stirring in the other room. She blinked at the sunlight streaming through her window, her heart still heavy from the night before. She hadn't let herself cry, but there was a lingering sadness, a quiet disappointment that seemed to hang over her.

Leigh toddled in with her usual energy, climbing up onto Yara's bed, bringing her back to the present. "Morning, Mommy," she said with a sleepy grin.

"Morning, baby," Yara smiled, running her fingers through Leigh's messy hair, grateful for the simple joy her niece always brought. No matter how she was feeling, Leigh was her constant. Her light.

Yara had made peace with so many things in her life. Losing her brother, taking on the responsibility of raising his daughter, and the sacrifices that came with it. But last night, she had let herself hope for something just for her—a connection, a chance at happiness with someone. And when Lucas didn't show up, it felt like another reminder that maybe it just wasn't meant for her.

Still, she refused to let it get to her. There were too many other important things, too many responsibilities. Yara couldn't afford to dwell on it. Leigh needed her to be present. So, she put on a brave face and began the day, preparing breakfast and making plans for their usual Saturday outing.

As Yara busied herself in the kitchen, her phone buzzed on the counter. It was a text from Lucas.

Lucas: "Yara, I'm so sorry. I know I messed up. I was stuck in an emergency at the restaurant and tried to text you, but it didn't go through. I hate that I left you waiting. Please let me explain."

She stared at the message for a long moment, her heart torn between the sting of last night and the sincerity in his words. Part of her wanted to give him a chance, to believe there was a reasonable explanation. The other part, the one that had learned to protect herself, whispered that maybe this was just another disappointment she couldn't afford.

Before she could think too much about it, Leigh tugged on her sleeve, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Mommy, can we go to the park today?"

Yara looked down at her niece, her smile softening. "Of course, sweetheart. Let's get ready."

She put her phone away, deciding to focus on the day ahead. Whatever happened with Lucas could wait. Right now, Leigh was her priority.

Meanwhile, Lucas sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone, waiting for a response that didn't come. The guilt weighed heavy on his chest, the image of Yara waiting for him still fresh in his mind. He knew he had messed up, and it gnawed at him.

The previous night had been chaos at the restaurant—something he couldn't ignore. But that didn't change the fact that he had promised to be there, and he wasn't. And Yara, with her warm smile and gentle strength, didn't deserve that. She deserved someone who could be there, fully and without hesitation.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, standing up and pacing the room. He couldn't just let this slip away. He hadn't felt this way about anyone in a long time, and he wasn't ready to give up before it even had a chance to begin.

Grabbing his keys, he made a decision. He wasn't going to text again and wait. He needed to see her, to explain face-to-face. He needed her to know that she mattered, that he wasn't the kind of guy who just bailed on promises.

Later that afternoon, Yara and Leigh were sitting on a park bench, watching as the wind gently swayed the branches of the big tree Leigh loved so much. Leigh was giggling, swinging her legs back and forth as Yara read to her from a picture book.

Yara's heart felt lighter being in the fresh air, her niece's happiness contagious. She almost forgot about the lingering disappointment of last night—until she saw a familiar figure walking toward them.