ALBERT POV
The air was crisp , cool enough to sting my lungs, the kind of cold that carries the scent of pine, damp earth, and fading daylight.
I almost regretted suggesting a stroll in the woods.
Almost.
Because I had a plan. A bold one.
Tonight, I wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
I’d spent too many years hiding behind pride, anger, and excuses. Too many nights dreaming of her but doing nothing about it. Now, with her beside me, really beside me, I wasn’t about to waste another moment.
I took her hand, feeling the soft warmth of her skin against mine. Her fingers were small, delicate, but she didn’t pull away. I squeezed gently, a silent reassurance that I wasn’t going to let go, and started walking toward the trail that wound its way into the forest.
We didn’t speak. There wasn
