The midday sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the sidewalk as I walked with Olivia down the street toward the bookstore. My mind was buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves. There had been talk of expanding, of opening a second location—something Olivia had mentioned in passing a few weeks ago—but today, the possibility felt more real than ever. The moment had arrived.

I'd never been much for planning ahead, always living in the moment and letting things unfold as they would. But Olivia, with her quiet determination, had a way of making me consider the bigger picture. She'd always believed in the potential of the bookstore, in the way it brought people together, the way it was more than just a business—it was a place, a home, for people who loved books the way we did. And now, it felt like that dream might actually be within reach.

Olivia was walking beside me, her hand in mine, and for a moment, I just focused on the feeling of her touch. The rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us. But even as we walked, there was a weight on my shoulders, a gnawing feeling in my gut. I hadn't told her yet. Not fully. Not about the meeting this afternoon.

"You're quiet today," Olivia said, her voice breaking into my thoughts. She glanced up at me, her expression curious but soft.

I hesitated for a beat, unsure of how to explain. "Just thinking," I said, forcing a smile. "About everything."

She raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips lifting into that knowing smile that made my chest tighten. "You're really bad at hiding things, Max."

I chuckled, the sound low and a little nervous. She was right. I wasn't great at hiding things, not when it came to her. But this? This was bigger than anything I'd faced before, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to share it with her just yet.

"We've got something coming up this afternoon," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "A meeting about... expanding the bookstore."

Olivia stopped walking, her hand slipping from mine as she turned to face me. Her eyes were wide, the realization settling in slowly. "Expanding?"

I nodded, still unsure of how to explain everything. The opportunity had come up quickly, unexpectedly. I hadn't been looking for it, but the idea of opening a new branch of the bookstore felt like the right step. It wasn't just a business decision; it was a chance to spread what we had here, to share it with more people. But it also meant taking on more risk, more responsibility. And the idea of juggling all that—especially when it came to Olivia and what we were building together—had me second-guessing everything.

"You're thinking about this, really thinking about it?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of uncertainty there too.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated with myself. "Yeah. I mean... yeah, I think so. But it's a big step, Liv. I don't want to rush into something we're not ready for."

Olivia nodded, processing my words. "It's a huge decision. But... if it's what you want, Max... if you think this is the next step for you—"

"It's not just me," I interrupted, a little too quickly. "It's us. It's you too, Liv. You've been here from the start. You're the one who helped me see the bigger picture. Without you... I wouldn't even be thinking about this."

Her gaze softened as she reached for my hand again. She didn't say anything at first, just let the quiet hang between us for a moment. And I realized then how much I had grown because of her—because of the way she pushed me, the way she made me see the world beyond the four walls of the bookstore. But there was still that fear lingering, the fear of not being enough, of stretching ourselves too thin.

"It's not just about the bookstore, Max," Olivia said, her voice steady and full of understanding. "It's about what you want. What we want. And if you feel like this is something worth trying, I'll be right there with you."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Olivia had this way of making the impossible feel within reach, of making everything feel like it could work if we just tried.

"Thanks, Liv," I said, my voice thick with gratitude. "I needed to hear that."

She smiled, the light in her eyes making my heart skip. "Anytime."

We continued walking, and as we approached the bookstore, I could feel the familiar sense of home settle in my chest. This place was everything I had ever wanted, and yet, I couldn't help but wonder if we were ready to make it bigger, to take it beyond the walls we had built. The thought was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

When we stepped inside the bookstore, the usual quiet hum of the space welcomed us. It was like stepping into a different world, one where time slowed down and everything felt just a little bit simpler.

"I've got to get ready for the meeting," I said, my nerves returning. I was trying not to let them show, but Olivia could read me too well. The meeting with the new parter that dad knew ever since they were kids comforted me. We talked about this when we visited my family. I wasn't a family guy, but it felt right to introduce Olivia to my world, the seen part of it.

"Max," she said, her voice gentle, "whatever happens, it's okay. We'll figure it out together. You're not alone in this."

I smiled at her, grateful for the steady calm she brought to everything. "I know. I just... I want this to work. For both of us."

"You'll make it work," she said, stepping closer. "Because that's what you do."

I kissed her forehead quickly, then turned to head upstairs to my office. The meeting was scheduled for in an hour, and the reality of the decision was sinking in. This wasn't just about the bookstore anymore. It was about the future, the kind of future I had never really thought much about until I met Olivia.

As I sat down at my desk, I tried to focus on the numbers, the logistics, but my mind kept wandering back to her—how her presence calmed me, how everything seemed clearer when she was around. This meeting, this decision—it was bigger than just a business opportunity. It was about what we wanted, what we were willing to build together.

The door to my office opened, and Olivia stepped in, her eyes steady and calm as ever. She didn't say anything at first, just stood there, taking in the sight of me sitting behind the desk.

"You've got this, Max," she said again, her voice quiet but unwavering.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Liv. I'm glad you're here. I'm glad we're doing this together."

She smiled softly before walking toward the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. But this time, it didn't feel as daunting. With her by my side, I realized I could face anything—even a decision this big.

The future, for the first time, didn't feel so uncertain.