I grabbed two bottles of San Pellegrino and set them on the table and after filling our plates, we headed to the living room.

I curled up in my usual corner of the sofa while Ava settled cross-legged on the other end.

Our standard positions for our regular protocol of dinner, girl talk, then a movie we'd both seen enough times to talk through.

“So,” Ava said, pointing her fork at me. “Tell me everything. You said dinner with Sam went well, and that you’d fill me in in person. It’s in-person time.”

I smiled, suddenly self-conscious. Just hearing his name tugged something inside me.

“Before I get to dinner, you should know that he came to the studio Friday to tell me his fastball was better after his second Reiki session.”

“Seriously?” Ava’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing, Hope. Your energy work is helping!”

“Yeah,” I said, “but Sam’s the one doing the work. I’m just helping clear the path.”

I didn’t tell her about the shift I felt in him during our last two sessions.

The way something deep inside him seemed to soften and let go.

That’s not my story to share. Energetic insight isn’t permission, it’s responsibility.

What comes through is sacred, and privacy lives in the silence.

I’ll never break the trust I share with my clients, even with my best friend.

“You’re being too modest, as usual.” I shrugged in response and shoved a forkful of pad Thai into my mouth. “And obviously he credits you at least a little since he came to the studio to talk about his breakthrough.”

“Yeah, I guess so. He was so sweet about it and genuinely thankful.”

Ava nodded, chewing thoughtfully.

“He seems like he’s really paying attention. To you, I mean.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so I decided to fill her in on dinner.

“At dinner, he asked questions about me, real questions.”

“Like what?”

“Like where I’m from, and other getting-to-know-you stuff,” I said. “It wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“Sam’s always been a good guy. And trust me, he had plenty of chances not to be,” Ava said, lifting an eyebrow for emphasis.

“Yeah?”

She nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“Please. He had girls throwing themselves at him all through junior high and high school. He’s always been tall, athletic, charming, so he was basically a teenage rom-com lead.

But he was always respectful. Never cocky about it, never took advantage.

And as far as I know, he was faithful to every girl he ever dated. ”

I tried to play it cool, but inside, I felt the tiniest swoon ripple through me.

There was just something about a man who had every opportunity to be a jerk and still chose integrity.

It wasn’t just attractive, it was rare. And now I had to sit here and pretend I wasn’t already halfway gone for a guy I was supposed to be helping heal, not daydream about.

“Seems like Liz raised him right.”

“She did.” She speared a noodle and before placing it in her mouth said, “So that’s it? You went to dinner and he asked about your background?”

“Then he walked me back to my car and…”

Ava leaned in, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“And what? Please tell me it’s something good.”

“He kissed me.”

“ What?” she shrieked. “Hope! You didn’t lead with the kiss?”

“I know, I’m sorry.” I set my empty plate on the coffee table then settled back into the corner of the couch. “But honestly, I was afraid talking about it might make it real in a way I’m not quite ready for yet.”

“That sounds intense.”

“It was. We were so connected. I’ve never felt energy like that with anyone.

Even during Reiki, it’s like there’s this thread between us I can’t explain.

Every time I put my hands over him, something sparks.

I've never experienced anything like it before.

It's like our energies recognize each other.”

“Okay, now I’m officially jealous.”

“And I’m terrified.”

“Why?”

“He asked me out again.”

Ava’s eyes widened again.

“And?”

“He wants to take me to Wilmington on Saturday. Said it’d be easier to talk without small-town eyes watching us.”

“Smart man.” She smiled. “I love this for you.”

“I told him yes, but I’m not sure I should go.”

“Why not?”

I glanced down, my fingers absentmindedly tugging at the hem of my shirt as I hesitated.

The soft fabric bunched between my fingers, grounding me just enough to hold the words back a moment longer.

I looked up, meeting Ava’s expectant gaze and finally said what had been bouncing around in my head ever since I met Sam Cherry.

“There's such a strong connection between us, Ava. I could really see myself falling for him.”

“And that's bad because?”

“Because I've spent my entire life being dragged around the world by my dad's military career. New base, new school, new friends every few years. I hated it.”

The familiar knot of anxiety formed in my stomach and I focused on my breathing to calm it.

Ava’s expression softened.

“And you finally have roots here.”

I nodded.

“I built a life in Starlight Shores. My studio, my house, this community…it’s all I’ve ever wanted. And Sam’s life is not this. He moves with the season. He lives out of suitcases and in hotel rooms. What if being with him means I have to give this up?”

“Hope,” Ava said gently, “you're getting way ahead of yourself. It's one date.”

“I know, I’m overthinking.” I rubbed my temples. “It just feels so big already.”

“That’s usually a sign of something worth exploring.” She reached over and squeezed my hand. “You’re allowed to enjoy this. See where it goes.”

Ava’s known me long enough to know when I’ve hit my limit.

She didn’t push, didn’t ask anything else, just gave me a soft smile and let it go.

Without saying a word, we shifted gears, our silent agreement hanging in the air as she grabbed the remote and started flipping through options.

The Sam conversation was over for now, and it was time to lose ourselves in a movie instead.

I kept my eyes on the screen, but inside me, everything buzzed. Hope, fear, want, and beneath it all, the quiet thrill of maybe.