Nicol walked beside Max across the wide, stone bridge stretching over the river. A calm silence settled between them, and although they said nothing, the moment felt full. Nicol was still nervous—her thoughts tangled and unsure of what else to ask. The silence continued as they passed through a peaceful spa park, with birdsong gently filling the background, as if nature itself was speaking for them.
Out of the quiet, Max finally broke the silence."Let's go to the store," he said."Why?" Nicol asked, surprised."I'll get you some prosecco," he smiled. "It'll help you unwind a bit."Nicol paused, then nodded. "Alright… maybe that's a good idea." She smiled, the first real one in a while.
As they continued down the path, Nicol spotted a large store and pointed. "I work there," she said."You do?" Max asked."Yes, I'm doing my internship there—for school.""I didn't know that," Max replied. "I live close to that store.""Really?""Yeah," he said, still smiling.
As they neared the entrance, Max gently suggested, "Go on ahead, across the grass."Nicol hesitated, wondering why he wanted her to walk in front. A small thought crossed her mind—Maybe he wants to look at me from behind? She blushed at the idea but kept walking.
Inside the store, they made their way to the wine and alcohol section. Max led her toward the shelves and stepped back so she could choose. She reached for a pink can of prosecco."Take the black one—it's stronger," Max said with a teasing grin.Nicol laughed. "I don't really drink… I'll take the lighter one.""Alright then," he chuckled, picking up two pink cans.Two? Nicol thought, but didn't ask. She simply followed him to the checkout.
"Do you want anything else?" Max asked."No, thank you… That's sweet of you," she replied."Okay then," he said warmly.
As they waited in line, their eyes met—and held. It was a long, quiet look that said more than any words had so far. Nicol felt her heart beat faster, wondering what would come next.
Their turn came. They both greeted the cashier. Max handed her the prosecco, and Nicol smiled, whispering, "Thank you.""Wait," Max said, leaning in a little. "Your hair's a bit messy… probably the wind.""Oh no," Nicol gasped, quickly fixing her hair. "Is it better now?""Yeah," he said, smiling at her.
Nicol felt a wave of awkwardness."You didn't say hi properly," Max teased."To who?""The cashier. Aren't you coworkers?"Nicol laughed softly. "No, we work at different stores.""Right, right… just joking," Max said, scratching the back of his neck. "Sometimes I say stupid things.""It's okay," she smiled, and he smiled back.
Outside again, they started walking."Open your prosecco," Max said. "It might help you loosen up a little. I'll keep the second one in my jacket.""Alright… so where are we going now?""Just follow me," he said.
They waited at a crosswalk, then took a shortcut through narrow streets."Where are we going?" Nicol asked again, curious."You'll see," Max replied mysteriously.
Eventually, they arrived at a parking lot."See that? That's my car," Max said.Nicol looked at a white car in the distance."No, not that one. Look next to it."She turned her gaze and saw a green car."Hop in," Max said.
"Where are we going?" she asked again."To my parents' cottage," he answered. "No one's there today. I thought I'd show it to you." He smiled gently.Nicol smiled back. "Okay."
"Seatbelt," Max reminded her."Right," she said, reaching for it—but it wouldn't click in. She fumbled with it quietly, too embarrassed to ask for help."You're having trouble, aren't you?" Max asked, amused."Yeah… I'm such a mess," she laughed nervously."Let me help," he said.
He leaned in close, took the belt, and fastened it for her. As he did, their eyes met again—closer this time. A quiet, nervous smile passed between them, warm and sincere.
Max started the engine. Nicol's mind was racing. What if he doesn't actually like me? He hasn't really given me any clear signs…
As they drove, Max talked about his time at summer camps, filling the silence with light stories. Nicol laughed as he spoke, but then suddenly—he placed his hand gently on her thigh.
She looked at him immediately, her heart skipping. Is this real? Or is it just in my head? But no—it was real. His hand was still there. Nicol didn't say a word. She just gave him a nervous smile… and in that moment, she felt truly happy.