Chapter 7- A step closer

The next few days felt lighter for Natalie. Her movie date with Adrian had gone better than she'd expected. He had a way of making things feel easy, effortless even, and it had been a long time since she allowed herself to relax like that.

Still, her heart wasn't entirely ready to embrace the idea of him. She'd spent so long convincing herself that she was better off alone, that love wasn't worth the risk. Every step she took toward Adrian felt like walking on thin ice.

Emma, of course, was thrilled when Natalie told her about the date.

"He's a keeper," Emma declared over brunch. "I don't even need to meet him to know that. He's patient, kind, and he clearly likes you. What else do you need?"

"Patience, kindness, and liking someone don't guarantee a happy ending," Natalie said, picking at her avocado toast.

Emma sighed, folding her arms. "You know, you're going to have to let someone in eventually. Why not Adrian? He's done nothing but prove he's worth a shot."

Natalie didn't reply, but Emma's words lingered in her mind long after brunch was over.

Later that week, Adrian invited Natalie to an art exhibit in the city. He'd mentioned his love for art before, but this was the first time he'd asked her to join him in something so personal to him.

Natalie hesitated before agreeing. It wasn't that she didn't want to go—she did. But the idea of stepping deeper into Adrian's world felt daunting.

When Saturday arrived, Natalie found herself standing outside the gallery, her nerves buzzing. She smoothed her dress—a soft, floral number that Emma had insisted she wear—and took a deep breath.

Adrian spotted her before she saw him. He was dressed casually in a dark blazer and jeans, his face lighting up as he walked over to her.

"You came," he said, his tone warm and sincere.

"I did," she replied, smiling nervously.

They stepped into the gallery together, and Natalie was immediately struck by the beauty of the artwork. The walls were lined with vibrant paintings, sculptures, and photographs, each piece telling its own story.

Adrian led her to a painting of a sprawling meadow bathed in golden light. "This one's my favorite," he said. "It reminds me of the field behind my grandparents' house. My brothers and I used to play there all summer."

Natalie glanced at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. Adrian always seemed so composed, but here, surrounded by art, he looked almost vulnerable.

"It's beautiful," she said, her gaze shifting back to the painting.

They wandered through the gallery, stopping to admire different pieces. Adrian explained some of the techniques used in the paintings, his passion shining through with every word. Natalie found herself drawn to his enthusiasm, her walls beginning to crack.

As they left the gallery, Adrian turned to her. "Thanks for coming with me. It meant a lot."

"Thanks for inviting me," Natalie said, genuinely. "I actually had fun."

"Good," he said with a grin. "Because I was starting to think you'd never say yes to spending time with me again."

She laughed, the sound surprising her. "I guess you're growing on me."

They walked toward the park, the evening air cool and refreshing. For a moment, there was silence between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

"Natalie," Adrian said softly, breaking the quiet. "I know you're holding back. And I get it—you've been hurt. But I just want you to know that I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Take your time. I'll wait."

Her heart clenched at his words. He didn't know the full story, didn't know about Jason or the betrayal that had shattered her. But somehow, Adrian saw through her, understood the weight she carried.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled, his blue eyes steady and sure. "Baby steps, right?"

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Baby steps."

That night, as Natalie lay in bed, she thought about Adrian's words. He was willing to wait, willing to give her the time she needed. For the first time in years, she felt like maybe she could take the leap.

But she also knew the next step would require more than just baby steps. It would mean confronting her past, facing the pain she'd been avoiding for so long. And if Adrian was willing to be patient, maybe—just maybe—she could start trusting again.