Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 74 – Closer Than Before

Evelyn wasn't sure when simply existing around Adrian had started feeling like this—like her heart was balancing on the edge of something fragile, something thrilling.

She had always been comfortable with him, but now, every touch lingered too long, every glance felt loaded with something unsaid. And yet, she still hadn't figured out how to say it.

The morning after their walk, she found herself replaying their conversation on a loop. Have you ever felt like something was changing but you weren't sure what to do about it? She had asked it without thinking, but now, she couldn't ignore the weight of it.

Because she already knew what was changing.

And it terrified her.

A Familiar Escape

Adrian had never been one to let things weigh on him for too long. Usually, he could distract himself, keep moving forward, and avoid dwelling on the emotions that threatened to pull him under.

But this? This was different.

Evelyn had looked at him last night like she was searching for something, and he had wanted desperately wanted to tell her that whatever she was looking for, she'd already found in him.

But he couldn't. Not yet.

So, when Ryan texted him about a pickup basketball game at the gym, he took the excuse to clear his mind. If nothing else, exhaustion would keep him from overthinking.

He was wrong.

"You're off your game today," Ryan said, dribbling past him with ease before sinking a shot. "Something on your mind?"

Adrian wiped sweat from his brow and sighed. "Nothing important."

Ryan gave him a skeptical look before tossing him the ball. "Right. And I'm a billionaire."

Adrian snorted but didn't reply. He focused on the game, the movement, the rhythm—anything but the way Evelyn's voice had been stuck in his head all day.

Accidental Proximity

Later that evening, Evelyn found herself at the campus library, hoping to get some studying done. She was staring blankly at her laptop screen when a chair scraped against the floor beside her.

"Wow, look at you. Actually studying," Adrian teased as he sat down.

She rolled her eyes. "Some of us take academics seriously."

"And yet, you've been staring at the same page for the last five minutes."

Evelyn shut her laptop with a sigh. "Maybe I just needed a distraction."

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Adrian smirked. "Lucky for you, I happen to be an expert at that."

She shook her head, but she didn't push him away. Instead, she let herself relax into the easy familiarity between them—until she realized just how close they were sitting.

His arm brushed against hers as he leaned in slightly, glancing at her notes. "You always take way too many notes," he murmured, his voice lower than usual.

Her heart stuttered.

She could feel the warmth of him, the way his presence wrapped around her like something solid, something steady. And suddenly, the words were on the tip of her tongue.

I think I—

She swallowed them back, her pulse racing. It wasn't the right moment. Not yet.

But it was coming.

The Unspoken Agreement

When they finally left the library, the night air was crisp and cool. They walked side by side, their steps naturally in sync.

Adrian exhaled. "You ever feel like something's right in front of you, but you're just waiting for the right time?"

Evelyn glanced at him sharply. "What do you mean?"

He looked at her then, really looked at her, and for a moment, she thought—this is it.

But instead, he just smiled, a little softer than usual. "Never mind."

Evelyn bit her lip, fighting back a frustrated sigh. He knew. He had to know.

And yet, they were both holding back.

For now.