Love is a risk

36

Delilah stepped inside the cabin, the door creaking softly as she closed it behind her. The warmth of the fire and the scent of something cooking made her feel a little more at ease. She took a deep breath, the odd tension she'd felt outside still lingering in her chest. But it was overshadowed by a sense of calm, of something unspoken that she wasn't sure how to understand yet.

Deb was sitting at the kitchen table, her feet tucked up under her, a half-empty mug of tea in front of her. She looked up when Delilah entered, an eyebrow quirking as she noticed the smile on her face. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice light but with a hint of curiosity.

Delilah dropped into the chair opposite her, leaning back with a sigh. "Yeah, actually. I think it's the strangest thing, but I feel—connected, somehow. I don't know how to explain it, but—" She shook her head, unsure of the words. "I talked with Isahe, and there was this... pull. Like there's something more there, something I didn't know I needed. I don't know what that means, but I can't shake the feeling."

Deb leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "A pull, huh? Is it the kind of pull that makes you think something's about to change, or the kind that makes you wonder if you're just reading too much into it?"

Delilah chuckled softly. "Probably a little of both, but mostly... I don't know. It felt real, Deb. Real in a way I can't explain. I haven't felt like this in ages."

Deb took a sip of her tea, her expression thoughtful. "Sometimes, you just meet someone who makes you see the world a little differently. Or maybe it's just the timing. Either way, you've got to trust what you're feeling, even if it doesn't make sense yet. You've been closed off for a while, D. Maybe it's time to let the walls come down a little."

Delilah met her gaze, the weight of Deb's words settling in her chest. She hadn't realized how much she'd been holding back—how much she'd kept hidden, even from herself. But today, for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of something hopeful, something worth exploring. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

The silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Delilah's mind wandered back to that fleeting moment outside, to the way Isahe had looked at her, like she could see right through the parts of Delilah that were still hiding in the shadows. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but something had shifted. And that, for now, was enough.

"You should go for it, you know," Deb added, as if reading her thoughts. "Whatever 'it' is. Don't let it pass you by."

Delilah smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah. I think I just might."

Delilah stepped into the kitchen, the soft hum of the cabin around her. After the chat with Deb, her mind was buzzing with a mix of thoughts—feeling lighter, more open, but also a bit uncertain. She'd been hoping to find Isahe, maybe talk more, or just be near him. But the kitchen was empty.

She let out a small sigh, pushing the thoughts of what might be into the back of her mind for now. The warmth of the space was comforting, the scent of wood smoke lingering in the air. She moved to the counter, grabbing the coffee grounds and measuring them into the filter. Her fingers worked automatically, the soothing ritual giving her a sense of calm, grounding her in the moment.

As the coffee began to brew, she leaned against the counter, letting her mind drift. The pull she'd felt with Isahe earlier—those glances, the way he made her heart race without even trying—it was still there, a flutter in her chest. But what did it mean? She didn't know, but maybe it didn't matter just yet.

Just as she was lost in thought, she felt a presence behind her, close—so close that she almost didn't register it before strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a solid chest. Her breath caught in surprise.