Lucy had spent an embarrassing amount of time staring at her closet.

“Just pick something,” Harper had teased when she FaceTimed to check in.
“You’re just having dinner, not walking a red carpet.”

Lucy had grumbled back something about wanting to look nice, but she knew it was more than that.
This wasn’t just dinner.
It was the first step into something she was finally ready to want.

When Miles arrived at her door, he looked… nervous.
Still confident in that Miles way — but his hand rubbed the back of his neck, and his eyes were a little too bright.

“You look beautiful,” he said the second she opened the door, voice rougher than usual.

Lucy blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You clean up pretty well yourself.”

He offered her his arm, and she laughed at the cheesy, adorable gesture before looping hers through it.

---

The restaurant was small and cozy, tucked away from the busy parts of town.
Candlelight flickered on the tables.
Soft music hummed in the background.

Miles had picked well — not flashy, not overwhelming. Just… perfect.

They ordered wine and pasta, and for a while, conversation danced easily between them — stories from work, funny client encounters, Harper’s endless meddling.

But somewhere between the main course and dessert, a quieter mood settled.

Miles twirled his wine glass, studying her.
“Can I ask you something?”

Lucy nodded, heart thudding.

“Why here?” he asked. “Why Haven?”

She smiled softly, thinking of all the messy roads that had led her here.
“I wanted a fresh start. After Mom died… it was hard to be anywhere that felt heavy with memories. Harper found the shop listing. It sounded like a dream. A place that could be mine — and something new.”

Miles nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes.

“What about you?” she asked, tipping her head. “Why real estate?”

He chuckled, taking a sip of wine.
“My dad worked construction. I used to go to sites with him when I was a kid. I loved seeing things get built from nothing. And I figured… maybe I could help people find the spaces where their lives would happen.”

Lucy’s heart twisted a little at that — the simplicity, the depth of it.

“You’re good at it,” she said honestly.

“And you’re good at making people feel at home,” he said, voice low and steady. “Even when they don’t realize they’re looking for it.”

The words settled between them, warm and real.

When the check came, Miles didn’t even let her reach for her wallet.
“This one’s on me,” he said firmly.
“But next time, you can buy me coffee,” he added with a playful wink.

Lucy laughed, easing any lingering tension.

---

Outside, the night was cool and crisp.
They walked slowly back toward her building, neither of them ready for the evening to end.

When they reached her door, Miles hesitated, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“I had a really good time,” he said.

“Me too,” Lucy replied, smiling up at him.

A beat of silence stretched — heavy with possibility.

Miles took a tiny step closer.
“Is it too soon to say I want to see you again?”

Lucy laughed — a soft, delighted sound.
“Not even a little.”

He grinned — wide and genuine.
“Good.”

And then — gently, hesitantly — he leaned in.

His lips brushed hers, careful and sweet, like a promise.
Lucy melted into it, letting herself lean into him, into this.

When they pulled apart, both a little breathless, Miles rested his forehead against hers.

“Goodnight, Lucy,” he whispered.

“Goodnight, Miles,” she whispered back.

She watched him walk down the hall, heart soaring, already counting down the minutes until the next time.