Sarah went inside to change up for her date. She didn't even know what to wear. She started panicking.

Sarah's heart raced in panic against her chest as she closed the door after Derrick. She rested on it, a smile of relief appearing on her lips. He had achieved his goal, and the only thing left was to set the date.


Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her hand, displaying her best friend's name on the caller ID. She replied with relief, "Hi Didi, how are you?"

"Guess what?" Sarah blurted out, unable to contain her excitement any longer.

"What?" Didi's voice crackled with curiosity through the receiver.


"Derrick asked me out on a date!" Sarah practically shouted, a giddy laugh escaping her lips.

A delighted squeal erupted from the other end. "Oh my gosh, Sarah! That's amazing! I knew it wouldn't be long before you two crazy kids reconnected."


Relief washed over Sarah, the tension easing from her shoulders. To share this tiny flame of hope that had ignited within her with someone felt nice.

"The only issue is that I have no idea what to wear," Sarah said, her voice trailing off into a nervous whisper.

Didi chuckled knowingly. "That's what best friends are for, silly! Hold on a sec, let me take a peek into your closet virtually."

Sarah giggled as the sound of rustling fabric filtered through the phone. Moments later, Didi announced, "Aha! That summer party you attended at one of our coworkers'? Exactly! Perfect for a romantic evening by the coast, it's breezy and light."

Sarah dug out the clothing as her friend had instructed, and as she felt the silky fabric against her skin, a feeling of nostalgia passed over her. With skill, Didi helped her choose the other pieces of clothing, choosing a delicate necklace and a pair of sandals to go with the dress.

"There you go," Didi declared triumphantly. "You're going to knock his socks off!"

Sarah spun around in front of the mirror, a timid smile on her face. The dress was a perfect fit, embracing all of her natural curves. A twinge of anxiety danced in her gut, but it was eclipsed by a growing sense of anticipation.

She could see Derrick waiting calmly by the entrance as she down the stairs. He turned to face her, and for a split second, the silence was filled with unspoken feelings. His expression softened into a gradual smile as his eyes grew larger with gratitude.

He exclaimed, "Wow, Sarah," in a husky tone. "You look…" He stammered, trying to find the appropriate phrase. "Absolutely stunning."

Heat flooded Sarah's cheeks, a blush blooming across her skin. Derrick extended his arm to assist her with her jacket, his fingertips barely touching hers. She felt a shock from the contact, and for a split second, their eyes met, leaving an unanswered question hanging in the air.

Derrick's breath caught in his throat as if he were about to lean in. Immediately, he withdrew and cleared his throat, seemingly recalling himself.

He said, "Alright," his voice tinged with remorse. "Let's get going before it gets too dark."

With an anxious flutter in her stomach, Sarah followed him outside to the car. Her spine tingled as their fingertips touched one more as he fastened her seatbelt. After closing the door, she observed him turning to face the driver's side, a shy smile playing on her lips.

She felt this was weird, a wave of emotions rushing through her. However, she experienced a glimmer of optimism for the first time in a long time, a feeling of possibility that caused her heart to race with expectation.

There was a pleasant silence throughout the drive, broken only by the engine's steady hum and the sporadic rustle of leaves in the prevailing wind.

Sarah sneaked a quick peek at Derrick, noting how his face's contours were highlighted by the gentle glow of the dashboard lights and the faint trace of a smile. He also appeared uneasy, which was a sharp contrast to his normally assured manner.

When Sarah eventually broke the quiet, she remarked, "This is a beautiful part of the coast.". She gestured out the window at the endless expanse of the ocean.

Derrick chuckled. "Mr. Black said he used to bring your mum here all the time when she was a kid. Heaid it was the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city."

"It's certainly peaceful," Sarah agreed, her gaze lingering on him for a beat longer than necessary. "Perfect for a... getaway."

He cleared his throat, a flicker of something akin to shyness in his eyes. "Yeah, well, Mr. Black also mentioned the cove down here is a great spot for a picnic."

The car jolted slightly as he turned onto a dusty, gravel road that snaked its way off the main highway. The headlights carved a path through the gathering darkness, revealing a dense forest on either side.

"Are you sure this is the way?" Sarah asked, worry creeping into her voice.

"Don't worry," Derrick reassured her, his voice warm and steady. "Mr. Black gave me detailed instructions. This road leads to a small clearing by the cove."

After a few minutes, the woods parted, exposing a tiny, isolated beach that was glowing softly from the moon. Sarah's nerves were calmed by the soothing sound of the waves gently lapping on the coast.

With his hand on hers for a moment longer than needed, Derrick assisted her in getting out of the car. As they approached the shore, the sand felt smooth and cold under their bare feet, and the air crackled with unsaid tension.

Beneath a gnarled old tree, its branches spreading out like safe arms, he lay out a checkered blanket.. Sarah helped him unpack the picnic basket Mr. Black had prepared, a delicious spread of finger foods and a chilled bottle of wine.

"Mr. Black really went all out," Sarah commented, picking up a delicate finger sandwich.

"He wants us to have a good time," Derrick replied, his voice low. "He is aware that this could be our only opportunity for some alone time."

They lounged on the blanket, savoring the peace and savoring the food. The only noises that could be heard were the soft movements of the waves and the sporadic singing of a cricket.

Sarah whispered softly while reclining in admiration, gazing at the stunning star-filled sky. I don't recall the last time I felt this calm.

"I don't feel the same way," Derrick admitted in a deep, raspy voice. "Your presence, Sarah, makes everything else seem unimportant and insignificant."

Sarah felt a moment of excitement in her chest. She looked at him, meeting his eyes. The emotions in his eyes were so profound, they caused a shiver to run down her spine.

"She started speaking, her voice barely audible, addressing Derrick." "We have a lot of things to discuss."

He gave a nod, a hint of grief appearing on his face. "I know. But for tonight, can we just… enjoy this?"

Sarah was unsure, caught between wanting to delve into their reignited emotions and the lingering sense of warning in the depths of her thoughts.

She looked into his eyes after inhaling deeply. "Okay," she ultimately admitted. "We simply appreciate the moment for tonight."

They passed the following hours engrossed in dialogue, recalling their history, and exchanging their ambitions for the future. Their conversation about the boys included sharing their experiences as parents and expressing their deep love for their sons, causing their voices to soften.

As the moon rose higher above the cove, enveloping them in a mystical light, they felt a stronger connection pulling them together.

Sarah leaned her head against his shoulder, comforted by his warmth. Derrick wrapped his arm around her and touched her, sending a shockwave through her body.

"Sarah," he uttered in a quiet, emotional tone. I understand that circumstances are complex, but my feelings for you are undeniable. You are still the most amazing woman I've ever met, and spending tonight with you feels like returning home.

A blend of yearning and anxiety caused Sarah's heart to ache.. "Derrick," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I feel it too. But how can we even think about a future when everything is so uncertain?"

He sighed, tracing a gentle finger down her arm. "I don't have all the Sarah shivered, not entirely from the cool night air that had begun to steal the warmth from the beach. Derrick spoke with a weighty tone that was both sad and realistic given their circumstances.

Derrick said in a quiet, comforting voice, "We don't need all the answers right now." What I do know, though, is that I cannot continue to ignore our bond. It's a lifeline and a reminder of all the wonderful things in this chaotic world, Sarah.

He turned to look directly at her, his eyes burning. "Let us approach things cautiously at first. Maybe with Mr. Black's assistance, we can come up with a plan to get together more frequently.. We can figure out a way to see each other more often, maybe with Mr. Black's help. We can steal moments like this, build a foundation of trust again."

Sarah yearned for that. The moments they had shared together, the quiet moments, and the way his touch made her shiver—all of these were worlds apart from the ongoing anxiety and stress that had previously ruled their lives. Still, there was a cautious part of her.