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*Chapter 2: The Spark Ignites*
Texting turned into calling. Calling turned into "Hey, want to grab dinner?"
And just like that, Maya and Eli slipped into each other's days with surprising ease.
Their connection was natural. Maya brought energy—quick wit, bold opinions, spontaneous weekend plans. Eli brought balance—thoughtful words, steady presence, and a habit of listening so well it disarmed her.
One night, while walking under city lights, Maya laughed and said, "You make quiet feel safe."
Eli smiled. "And you make chaos feel welcome."
They weren't alike—but they fit.
They explored bookstores, swapped playlists, debated food orders, and slowly, their attraction deepened into something quieter, steadier. Maya found herself sharing things she hadn't told anyone in years—about her father's absence, her fear of becoming "too much." Eli didn't flinch.
Eli let his walls down too. He told her about his past heartbreak, how he'd once given everything and lost it anyway. He wasn't rushing anything, but he was showing up—every time.
They didn't label it. They didn't need to.
Whatever it was between them—it was real. And real had its own rhythm.