More Than Friends

Chapter 24: The Path to Healin'

A few more days passed, and Nicole was slowly startin' to feel like herself again. It wasn't easy, though. Every now and then, she'd catch herself lookin' over her shoulder or checkin' her phone, still half expectin' another message. But it didn't come. Keon was gone, and with him, the threats had disappeared too.

Devin had been her anchor through all of it. He made sure she ate, made sure she wasn't dealin' with too much on her own, but at the same time, he gave her space when she needed it. She didn't know what she would've done without him.

One afternoon, they decided to take a drive outta the city, somethin' Devin suggested to get her mind off things. The city had too many memories of the last few weeks, and a break from it all was exactly what Nicole needed.

As they cruised down the road, the windows down and the breeze blowin' through her hair, Nicole felt a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. It had been a while since she felt this light, this free, even if it was just for a moment.

"You feelin' better?" Devin asked, glancin' over at her as he drove.

Nicole nodded, her eyes watchin' the trees pass by. "Yeah...I think I am. Feels good to get out, away from everything."

Devin smiled, a small nod of agreement. "I figured you needed this. You been through a lot, and I know it ain't easy shakin' it off."

Nicole glanced at him, feelin' a warmth in her chest. "You been holdin' me down this whole time, Dev. I don't know how to thank you for that."

Devin's eyes softened as he looked over at her again, his voice low. "You ain't gotta thank me, Nic. I'd do it all over again if I had to. Ain't nothin' I wouldn't do for you."

Nicole's heart fluttered at his words, and she couldn't help but feel a deeper connection with him, stronger than ever before. She had always known Devin was there for her, but these last few weeks had shown her just how much he cared.

That Evening

They stopped by a small lake outside the city, somethin' peaceful and quiet where they could sit and just be. As the sun started to set, the sky turned shades of pink and orange, reflectin' off the water.

Nicole leaned back against a tree, watchin' the colors change as the sun dipped lower. Devin sat beside her, close enough that their arms brushed against each other.

"You ever think 'bout what's next, Dev?" Nicole asked softly, her eyes still on the water.

Devin turned to her, his expression thoughtful. "What you mean?"

Nicole shrugged. "Just...after all this. I feel like I need somethin' different, somethin' that makes me feel like I'm movin' forward, you know? It's like, after everything with Keon, I wanna focus on things that actually make me happy."

Devin nodded slowly. "Yeah, I get that. You deserve to be happy, Nic. You been through enough."

Nicole looked at him, her heart feelin' a little lighter. "What about you? What you want, Dev?"

Devin's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the air between them felt different, more charged. He didn't look away, his voice soft but serious. "What I want? I want what's in front of me."

Nicole blinked, her heart skippin' a beat at his words. "What you mean?"

Devin took a deep breath, his hand slowly reachin' for hers. "I mean, I've always had your back, Nic. I always will. But what I'm tryna say is...I want more. I been wantin' more, but I didn't wanna push nothin' on you, not with everything goin' on."

Nicole's breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, realizin' what he was sayin'. She had always known Devin cared about her, but this? This was different. He was talkin' 'bout somethin' deeper.

"Dev..." she whispered, her heart poundin' in her chest.

"I ain't tryna rush you," Devin said quickly, his hand still holdin' hers. "I just need you to know how I feel. I been there for you as a friend, but it's more than that for me. It always has been."

Nicole felt a wave of emotion rush over her, somethin' that had been buildin' up for a long time but that she hadn't fully realized until now. Devin wasn't just her protector, her rock—he was more than that. He had always been more.

Without thinkin', she leaned in, her lips meetin' his in a soft, tender kiss. It was gentle at first, like they were both testin' the waters, but then it deepened, the connection between them electric.

When they pulled back, Nicole looked at him, her heart full. "I didn't know it was like that, Dev. But I'm feelin' it too. I didn't see it before, but...I think I been feelin' it all along."

Devin smiled, his hand slidin' to the back of her neck. "We can take our time, Nic. Ain't no rush. But I'm glad you feel it too."

Nicole smiled, feelin' a warmth spread through her, a peace that had been missin' for so long. She knew they still had a lot to work through, but for the first time in weeks, she felt like things were finally fallin' into place.