Box Of Matches | ✓

15

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Ariel's room. She stretched lazily in bed, her thoughts immediately drifting to Colby and the discovery she had made the previous night. She felt a mixture of excitement and nerves, wondering how she would bring up her feelings in their next conversation.

After a quick shower and a light breakfast, Ariel decided to head out for a walk along the beach. The salty sea air and the rhythmic sound of the waves always helped to clear her mind. As she walked, her phone buzzed with a text message.

"Good morning! How was your night?" It was Colby.

Ariel smiled, her heart fluttering. "Morning! It was good. Just watched some videos and relaxed. How was filming?"

"It went great! Got some awesome footage. Can't wait for you to see it."

Ariel paused, debating whether to mention that she had found his YouTube channel. She decided to go for it. "Actually, I watched some of your videos last night. You and Sam are hilarious!"

There was a brief pause before Colby replied. "You did? That's awesome! I hope you enjoyed them."

"I did! I had no idea you were such a big deal," she texted back, hoping her lighthearted tone would keep things casual.

Colby's reply was quick. "Haha, I'm glad you think so. But really, I'm just a guy who loves making videos."

Ariel felt a surge of affection for him. Despite his success, he remained humble and genuine. "Well, you're really good at it. I couldn't stop watching."

"That means a lot, Ariel. Thank you."

As she continued her walk, Ariel felt a sense of ease in their conversation. The initial nervousness of revealing that she had discovered his online presence had dissipated. She felt closer to Colby, understanding more about his world and the passion he put into his work.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of errands and household chores. As evening approached, Ariel found herself once again at The Book Nook. It was a quiet night, with only a few customers browsing the shelves. Salem was perched on his usual spot on the counter, lazily watching the world go by.

Ariel busied herself with organizing some new arrivals and tidying up the store. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Colby, wondering how their relationship would unfold. She was lost in thought when the bell above the door jingled, and she looked up to see a familiar face.

It was Colby, looking as relaxed and charming as ever. Ariel's heart skipped a beat as he walked up to the counter, a warm smile on his face.

"Hey, Ariel," he greeted her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I figured I'd surprise you and see this famous bookstore for myself."

Ariel felt a flush of pleasure at his words. "Colby! It's so good to see you. Welcome to The Book Nook."

He glanced around, taking in the cozy atmosphere and the rows of books. "This place is amazing. I can see why you love it here."

"Thanks," Ariel said, feeling a swell of pride. "It's my little haven."

Colby leaned against the counter, his expression turning more serious. "I've been thinking about you a lot, Ariel. About us."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she met his gaze. "I have too, Colby."

He reached out and took her hand, his touch sending a thrill through her. "I really like you, Ariel. More than just a friend. And I hope you feel the same."

Ariel's breath caught in her throat. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment she had been building up the courage to face. She squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with emotion. "I do, Colby. I like you a lot."