Box Of Matches | ✓

12

Ariel woke up early the next morning, the soft light of dawn filtering through her curtains. The house was still quiet, and she could hear the faint chirping of birds outside. She stretched and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, feeling a sense of anticipation for the day ahead.

After getting dressed, she made her way to the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her. Her dad was already there, reading the morning paper with a steaming mug in hand. He looked up and smiled as she entered.

"Morning, Ariel. Sleep well?" he asked, setting the paper aside.

"Morning, Dad. Yeah, I did. How about you?" she replied, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Pretty well, thanks. Got any plans for today?"

Ariel hesitated for a moment, thinking about her growing feelings for Colby. "I'm working at the bookstore, as usual. But I might meet up with some friends later."

Her dad nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "That sounds nice. You should go out and have some fun."

She smiled, appreciating his encouragement. "Thanks, Dad."

After breakfast, Ariel headed out to The Book Nook. The early morning air was crisp and refreshing, and she took a deep breath, enjoying the quiet moments before the day began. As she unlocked the door to the bookstore and stepped inside, the familiar scent of books and the cozy atmosphere welcomed her.

Salem was already there, lounging on his favorite spot by the window. He lifted his head and gave her a lazy blink as she walked past.

"Good morning, Salem," Ariel said, giving him a gentle pat. He responded with a soft purr before settling back down.

The morning passed by in a blur of activity as customers trickled in, browsing the shelves and chatting with Ariel. She enjoyed the steady rhythm of the work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Colby. She wondered if she would see him today, and the thought brought a smile to her face.

Around midday, the bell above the door jingled, and Ariel looked up to see Colby walking in. Her heart skipped a beat as he approached the counter, a grin spreading across his face.

"Hey, Ariel," he greeted, leaning casually against the counter.

"Hey, Colby," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "How's it going?"

"Not bad. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by. How's everything here?"

"Pretty good. It's been a busy morning, but things are starting to slow down now."

Colby nodded, glancing around the bookstore. "This place has such a great vibe. I can see why you love it here."

"Thanks. It's like a second home to me," Ariel said, feeling a warm glow from his compliment.

They chatted for a while, sharing stories and laughter. Ariel felt the magnetic pull toward Colby growing stronger with each passing moment. There was an ease between them that she hadn't felt with anyone else, and it made her heart race with excitement.

Just as Colby was about to leave, he hesitated and turned back to Ariel. "Hey, would you like to grab dinner with me tonight? I know a great little place by the beach."

Ariel's heart fluttered at the invitation. "I'd love to. What time?"

"How about seven? I'll pick you up."

"Sounds perfect."

As Colby left the bookstore, Ariel felt a mix of excitement and nerves. She couldn't believe she was going on a date with him. The rest of her shift passed in a blur, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the evening ahead.

When her shift finally ended, Ariel hurried home to get ready. She rummaged through her closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. After much deliberation, she settled on a simple yet elegant dress that she felt confident in.

By the time seven o'clock rolled around, Ariel was ready and waiting. Her heart raced as she heard a knock on the door. She took a deep breath and opened it to find Colby standing there, looking as handsome as ever.

"Ready to go?" he asked, offering her a warm smile.

"Ready," she replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

They drove to the beachside restaurant, the conversation flowing easily between them. The evening was perfect, with the sound of the waves in the background and the soft glow of the setting sun. Over dinner, they shared more about their lives, their dreams, and their passions. Ariel found herself opening up to Colby in a way she hadn't with anyone else.

As they walked along the beach after dinner, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, Ariel felt a sense of contentment and happiness. Colby reached out and took her hand, sending a jolt of electricity through her. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting in a moment of perfect understanding.

"Thank you for tonight, Ariel," Colby said softly. "I had a great time."

"Me too," she replied, her heart swelling with emotion.

As they stood there, hand in hand, Ariel realized that this was just the beginning of something special. The feelings she had for Colby were real and growing stronger with each passing day. And as the waves lapped at their feet, she knew that she was ready to embrace whatever came next.