Dinner with Declan feels easy, almost too easy. The kind of easy that makes you wonder if you've known someone forever, even though you haven't. We're sitting across from each other at a small, candlelit table in a quiet restaurant tucked away in the city. The kind of place where the hum of conversation blends with soft music, creating a cozy bubble that makes the rest of the world fade away.

I can't help but notice how relaxed Declan looks tonight. There's a softness in his features that I don't always see when he's in uniform or on edge from work. His blue eyes catch the light every time he glances up at me, and I have to remind myself to breathe. It's easy to get lost in those eyes, especially when they're focused on me with such intensity.

As the waiter sets down our plates, Declan reaches for his glass of wine, taking a sip before he speaks. His fingers drum lightly on the table, a telltale sign that something is on his mind. I don't have to wait long to find out what.

"I don't want to sound like a lovesick puppy asking, 'What are we?'" he begins, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "But...what are we, Val? Where is this heading? I'm not trying to rush anything. I just want to make sure we're on the same page."

His question hangs in the air between us, and I feel my stomach do a little flip. It's not that I didn't see this coming. I did. But hearing him say it out loud makes everything feel a bit more real, more immediate. And honestly, I'm not sure how to answer. Not because I don't care about him—because I do, more than I want to admit—but because I genuinely don't know where this is heading.

I look down at my plate, twirling the pasta with my fork as I gather my thoughts. How do I explain that I'm just as confused as he is, that I'm not ready to define what we have? That I'm scared of ruining something good by putting a label on it too soon?

"I'm not sure," I finally say, my voice soft but honest. I glance up at him, meeting his gaze. "I don't really know where we stand or what this is, but I do know that I like being with you. A lot. It feels right, but I'm not totally sure I'm ready for anything serious. Not yet, anyway. I think...I think I just want to take things slow and see where they go."

He nods, his expression thoughtful, as if he's considering my words carefully. For a moment, I worry that I've said the wrong thing, that I've somehow disappointed him by not having a clear answer. But then he smiles—a genuine, warm smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

"Thank you for being honest," he says, his voice gentle. "I was thinking the same thing. I really like you too, Val, but I'm not completely sure I'm ready for anything serious right now either."

I let out the breath I was holding, relief washing over me. It's comforting to know that we're on the same page, that neither of us is rushing headlong into something we're not ready for. But there's something else in his eyes, something that tells me there's more he wants to say.

He sets down his fork, leaning back in his chair as he runs a hand through his hair. "I haven't seriously dated anyone since my divorce," he admits, his voice quieter now, more reflective. I had honestly forgotten that he had been married before. He's mentioned it in passing, but we've never really talked about it. "My marriage...it didn't end well. It's not something I talk about often, but I think it's important you know."

I stay quiet, giving him the space to share what's on his mind. I can tell this isn't easy for him, but the fact that he's opening up like this means more to me than I can express.

"It wasn't just about the divorce," he continues, his eyes distant, as if he's looking back at something painful. "It was everything leading up to it. The constant fighting, the mistrust, the feeling that no matter what I did, it wasn't enough. It took a toll on me. And since then, I've been...hesitant, I guess, to let myself get close to someone again. I've dated, sure, but nothing serious. Nothing like this."

His words hit me harder than I expected. I knew there was something he was holding back, but hearing it now, understanding the weight he's been carrying, makes me see him in a new light. It's not just about him being cautious; it's about protecting himself from getting hurt again. And I can't blame him for that.

"I get it," I say softly, reaching across the table to take his hand in mine. His fingers are warm, steady, as they curl around mine. "Relationships...they can be messy. Complicated. But I'm not looking to complicate things, Declan. I just want to see where this goes, without any pressure."

He squeezes my hand gently, his eyes softening as they meet mine. "That's exactly how I feel. I'm not planning on seeing anyone else while we're figuring this out. But I don't want to stop you from exploring your options either. I just want us to be open and honest with each other. No secrets, no games."

His words surprise me, not because of what he's saying, but because of how refreshing it is to hear them. I've had my share of relationships where communication was lacking, where things were left unsaid, festering until they became too big to ignore. But with Declan, it's different. He's upfront, clear about what he wants and expects, and that's something I didn't realize I was missing until now.

"Thank you," I say, my voice full of sincerity. "It's...it's really nice to hear that. To know that we can talk about this stuff openly."

He smiles again, that warm, genuine smile that makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. "We're in this together. Whatever 'this' is, we'll figure it out."

I nod, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. It's not a solution, not a clear path forward, but it's enough for now. It's enough to know that we're on the same page, that we're both taking this one step at a time, without rushing into anything we're not ready for.

The rest of dinner passes in a comfortable silence, punctuated by small talk and shared smiles. There's an ease between us now, a mutual understanding that we're both in this for the right reasons, that we're both willing to take things slow and see where they lead.

***

I stand in front of the mirror, running a brush through my hair as I think about tonight. I'm going out to Disorderly with Emersyn again. As I twist a lock of hair around my finger, I catch my own reflection, noting how much more relaxed I look. There's something different in my eyes, a lightness that hasn't been there for a long time. It's like I'm finally finding a little work-life balance, and damn, it feels good.

I've been making more time for Emersyn, consciously squeezing in coffee dates and late-night phone calls that used to be so effortless before work took over my life. I even took her advice and scheduled a few days off using my PTO days that I've been hoarding like some kind of workaholic dragon. I smile at the thought, grateful that she's pushed me to take care of myself, to remember that there's more to life than scrubs and shift schedules.

My thoughts drift to Declan. We've gone on a few more dates, and I've had another steamy night with him that left me breathless and wanting more. He's got this way of making me feel seen, like he's genuinely interested in me, not just the idea of me. And the best part? We're not labeling what we are or what we have, and I love that. There's no pressure, no expectations—just two people enjoying each other's company and seeing where it goes. It's refreshing, and I feel like I'm finally starting to find my groove.

As I finish getting ready, I decide on a simple outfit—a flowy top and jeans, something comfortable but cute. I add a touch of mascara and swipe on some lip gloss, giving myself one last look in the mirror before grabbing my bag and heading out the door.

Disorderly is buzzing with energy when I arrive, the familiar neon lights casting a warm glow over the room. I spot Emersyn almost immediately, her bright smile and wild brown curls making her easy to find in any crowd. She waves me over, and I weave my way through the throng of people, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air.

"Val!" Emersyn pulls me into a tight hug, her excitement contagious. "I'm so glad you're here!" She always acts so surprised to see me, and honestly I don't blame her. After months of not showing up, I would be surprised to see me, too.

"I wouldn't miss it," I reply, grinning as I pull back. "I'm working on making more time for my best friend, remember?"

She laughs, linking her arm with mine as we make our way to the bar. "And I'm so proud of you for that. You've earned a night off, and we're going to have a blast."

I nod, feeling a genuine sense of accomplishment. It's not easy breaking old habits, but I'm doing it—one step at a time.

As we reach the bar, I spot Fowler, one of Emersyn's boyfriends, chatting with a few other patrons. He catches my eye and gives me a nod of acknowledgment before turning back to his conversation. Emersyn leans closer to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"You should talk to Fowler. He's been dying to hear about your latest adventures in nurse land."

I chuckle, giving her a playful nudge. "I'm sure he has. I'll go say hi in a bit."

Emersyn's eyes sparkle as she glances around the bar. "I'm going to dance with the boys. Come join us later, okay?"

"Definitely," I say, watching as she slips away, her laughter ringing out as she joins the dance floor with her boyfriends.

Left alone at the bar, I slide onto one of the stools, catching Elias's eye as he moves behind the counter with practiced ease. He's already reaching for a glass, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.

"Valarie," he greets me, setting a drink in front of me with a flourish. "Thought I might see you tonight."

I can't help but smile back, feeling a bit more at ease now. "Elias. Guess I should've known you'd be working."

He shrugs, his eyes twinkling with that familiar mischievous glint. "Gotta save cash to save my bike." He glances down at my hand, noticing the brace. "What's with the brace? You okay?"

I flex my fingers, showing him the movement. "Yeah, I fractured it in that bar fight a little while ago. But it's basically healed already."

Elias's eyes widen slightly, and he leans in, his tone both impressed and concerned. "I've gotta say, I've never seen a woman as small as you take down a guy twice your size before. That was impressive."

I chuckle, a hint of pride in my voice. "It wasn't the first time. There was this one time in a parking lot brawl where I shoved a guy down on the pavement. It was pretty wild."

Elias whistles, clearly impressed. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Just don't push me into any pool tables," I joke, giving him a wink.

He laughs, then asks, "Did you end up getting arrested that night?"

"No, thankfully. I knew one of the cops, and I was able to get off with a warning," I explain, a hint of relief in my voice.

Elias nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "You're lucky. So, my bike's in the shop. But once it's out, I was thinking you might want to take a ride with me. What do you say?"

I blink, caught a little off guard by the invitation. Riding a motorcycle with Elias wasn't exactly on my list of things to do, but the idea of it sends a thrill through me. "That sounds... interesting."

He chuckles, clearly amused by my hesitation. "I promise I'll drive safely. You've got nothing to worry about."

The way he says it is so confident, so sure, that I almost believe him. But then a flicker of doubt crosses my mind, and I can't help but joke, "As long as you don't wreck it with me on it."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see the flinch in Elias's eyes, a brief flash of something that looks like hurt. I mentally scold myself, realizing that I shouldn't have said that. But just as quickly, Elias replaces the flinch with his usual happy exterior, his grin widening.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of you." His hazel eyes hold mine and for some reason, my skin starts to heat.

I nod, feeling a little guilty for my earlier comment. "I'll think about it."

We exchange numbers, and as I save his contact in my phone, I can't help but wonder how Declan would feel about me riding a motorcycle with another man. Would he be jealous? Would he care?

I know we're not in a relationship—Declan made that clear when he said I could see other people—but there's a part of me that wonders if he'd be okay with it. It's something I'll have to talk to him about, for sure.

As the night wears on, I find myself enjoying the atmosphere at Disorderly more than I expected. Emersyn is having the time of her life on the dance floor with her boyfriends, and I'm content to sit at the bar, chatting with Elias and sipping my drink. It's a nice change of pace, and I feel like I'm finally finding a balance between work and life.

When I finally head home, I'm exhausted but happy. I climb into bed, ready to fall asleep, but my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I pick it up and see a text from Elias.

Elias: It was good seeing you tonight. You looked amazing. Let's do it again soon. Maybe that ride? ;)

I smile at the message, feeling a warmth spread through me that I'm not sure I'm ready to analyze. I type out a response, keeping it light but flirty.

Valarie: I had a great time too. I'll look at my schedule and let you know.

A few moments later, my phone buzzes again, and this time it's a picture. I open it and see a shirtless selfie of Elias in bed, his smile as cocky as ever. My breath catches for a moment, a mixture of surprise and... something else.

His rusty colored hair is dishevled against his pillow. Tattoos scatter across his skin and I zoom in, trying to see what they are. There's something fiery on his left arm. It looks like a bird of some kind. The other tattoos are shadowed and I can't make them out.

He's so attractive, and I can't deny that I'm tempted to send something back. But I'm only in my bra, so instead, I take a close-up selfie of just my face, my smile playful.

His response comes quickly, making me laugh.

Elias: I wonder which one of us has more freckles. I know which one of us looks better with them at least.

I chuckle to myself, the tension in my chest easing as I continue texting him. We trade playful banter back and forth, the conversation flowing easily. It's nice, this flirtatious back-and-forth, and it's not long before I find myself getting comfortable, the exhaustion of the night catching up to me.

Eventually, I can't keep my eyes open any longer, and I fall asleep with my phone in hand.