Box Of Matches | ✓

24

Ariel's life settled into a comforting routine over the next few weeks. The autumn air grew crisper, and the leaves outside The Book Nook turned vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. Customers came and went, and Ariel found solace in her work and her writing. However, the conversation with Sam lingered in her mind, leaving her with a swirl of unresolved emotions.

One crisp morning, Ariel arrived at The Book Nook early. The store was quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves outside and the soft hum of the heater. She made herself a cup of tea and settled behind the counter with her notebook, determined to focus on her writing.

The bell above the door jingled, and Ariel looked up to see Bradley walking in, his beachy glow contrasting with the autumn chill. He greeted her with a warm smile, and Ariel felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't told him about her conversation with Sam or the lingering feelings she had for Colby.

"Morning, Ariel," Bradley said, leaning against the counter. "How's your day going?"

"It's good," Ariel replied, forcing a smile. "Just trying to get some writing done before the rush."

Bradley nodded, his eyes filled with admiration. "I don't know how you do it, balancing the store and writing a book. It's impressive."

Ariel blushed, feeling a mix of pride and discomfort. "Thanks, Bradley. It's not always easy, but I love both."

They chatted for a while, Bradley sharing stories of his recent surf trips and Ariel talking about the latest book she was reading. She enjoyed his company, but the conversation with Sam had left a lingering shadow over her heart.

As the day went on, Ariel couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. She loved spending time with Bradley, but she couldn't ignore the unresolved feelings for Colby. She knew she needed to figure out her emotions before she could truly move forward.

That evening, after closing the store, Ariel sat on her couch, Moby curled up beside her. She absentmindedly stroked his fur, her mind drifting back to the conversation with Sam. She decided it was time to face her feelings head-on.

She picked up her phone and opened her contacts, scrolling down to Colby's name. Her thumb hovered over the call button, hesitating. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but she knew she needed closure.

Taking a deep breath, Ariel pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear. The ringing seemed to last forever, but finally, Colby answered.

"Ariel?" His voice was hesitant, as if he wasn't sure she'd ever call him again.

"Hi, Colby," Ariel said softly. "I hope it's okay that I called. I just... I needed to talk to you."

"Of course," Colby replied. "I've been wanting to talk to you, too."

There was a brief silence as they both gathered their thoughts. Ariel could hear the familiar sounds of the ocean in the background, and it brought back memories of their time together.

"I talked to Sam," Ariel said finally. "He told me about everything, about why you stopped talking to me and the whole thing with Charlotte."

Colby sighed. "I'm so sorry, Ariel. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I realize now how much I hurt you."

Ariel felt a lump in her throat. "I just wish you had told me. I would have understood."

"I know," Colby said, his voice filled with regret. "I was scared, Ariel. Scared of dragging you into my messed-up life."

Ariel took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I've been trying to move on, Colby. I met someone new, Bradley. But after talking to Sam, I realized that I still have feelings for you. And I don't know what to do with them."

There was another long silence, and Ariel could hear Colby's breath hitch. "I still care about you, Ariel. More than you know. But I don't want to mess things up for you again."

Ariel wiped away a tear. "I don't know if we can go back to what we had, Colby. But I needed to hear your side of things, to understand why you did what you did."

Colby's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm glad you called. I've missed you so much, Ariel."

They talked for a while longer, sharing memories and apologies. By the time they hung up, Ariel felt a sense of relief. She wasn't sure what the future held, but she knew she had taken a step toward healing.

The next morning, Ariel arrived at The Book Nook with a renewed sense of purpose. She had faced her feelings and was ready to move forward, whatever that might mean. As she unlocked the door and stepped inside, she felt a sense of peace wash over her.

The day passed quickly, and Ariel found herself smiling more than she had in weeks. She chatted with customers, recommended books, and even found time to work on her novel. The uncertainty that had plagued her was slowly being replaced with a sense of clarity.

In the afternoon, Bradley stopped by the store. He noticed the change in Ariel's demeanor and raised an eyebrow.

"You seem happier today," he commented, leaning against the counter.

Ariel nodded, a genuine smile on her face. "I had a conversation I needed to have. I'm starting to feel like myself again."

Bradley looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I am," Ariel replied, reaching across the counter to squeeze his hand. "Thank you for being patient with me, Bradley. I really appreciate it."

Bradley smiled, relief evident in his eyes. "I'm just glad you're feeling better. And I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Ariel felt a surge of gratitude. She knew she had a lot to figure out, but having Bradley's support meant the world to her.

As the weeks went by, Ariel continued to navigate her complicated emotions. She spent time with Bradley, enjoying their growing relationship, while also keeping in touch with Colby. It wasn't always easy, but she was determined to find her way.

Autumn slowly turned to winter, and The Book Nook became a cozy haven for customers escaping the cold. Ariel decorated the store with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

One snowy evening, as Ariel was closing up the store, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Colby.

"I'm going to be in Santa Monica next week. Can we meet?"

Ariel stared at the message, her heart racing. She took a deep breath and replied, "Sure. Let me know when."

The following week, Ariel found herself standing at the edge of the Santa Monica Pier, the ocean breeze biting at her cheeks. She spotted Colby walking toward her, his hands shoved in his pockets to ward off the cold.

"Ariel," he greeted her, a tentative smile on his face.

"Colby," she replied, her heart pounding.

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves crashing against the pier filling the air. Finally, Colby spoke.

"I've missed you," he said softly.

Ariel looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I've missed you too."

They walked along the pier, talking about everything and nothing. The tension between them slowly melted away, replaced by a sense of familiarity and comfort.

As they reached the end of the pier, Colby turned to Ariel. "I don't know what the future holds, but I want to be a part of your life, whatever that looks like."

Ariel felt a warmth spread through her chest but knew she needed to be honest. "Colby, I'm with someone else now, but we can always be friends."

Colby's expression softened, a mixture of relief and sadness in his eyes. "I understand, Ariel. I'm just glad to have you back in my life, even as a friend."

They stood there, watching the waves roll in under the twinkling lights of the pier. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, Ariel felt hopeful. She knew she had made the right choice and was ready to embrace whatever came next, one step at a time.