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They walked through the park slowly, as if they had all the time in the world. Their conversation flowed gently — about what they enjoyed, what made them happy, what they wanted to do one day. The sun was slowly setting behind the trees, its light filtering through the leaves and dancing across their faces.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLK1o91627
Then Max mentioned,"You know, I've got about twenty tattoos. I really love tattooing. I even do it myself… One day I want to open my own studio."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug3zJT7d32
Nicol looked at him with a smile."That sounds pretty cool. Would you show me some?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yUUca6ZZb
Max held out his hand, showing her a small flower tattooed between his knuckles. Then he took off a ring — shaped like a star — and underneath it was a large star tattoo, bold and black.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjyhmUfBkn
Nicol was quiet for a moment, then smiled again."I really like that. And your rings… you've got great taste."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJJuzp7Chc
They were getting close to the edge of the park. Behind a low fence, deer wandered peacefully, and goats grazed nearby. In the distance, the soft sounds of other animals could be heard. The park felt still, almost magical, as if time had paused for just a while.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56VMf5GmT3
Max pointed toward a path leading beyond the trees."Come on, I want to show you something."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJB3H3ljXK
They kept walking. The trail brought them to a spot where the trees opened up, revealing a view of the river. The surface shimmered in the fading light, and swans glided calmly across the water.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu49GMW3EqL
Nicol looked around and—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTz1glkR4S
They sat down on a bench facing the river, and Nicol couldn't get enough of the view. She loved it — the calm water, the swans, the way the last light of day lit everything in gold.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxL1j3kzOZ
She glanced over at Max and caught his eyes. They held the eye contact a little longer than usual, and Nicol couldn't stop smiling.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZGiSMcgQl
"So," she asked softly, "what can you tell me about yourself?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OF939GEV9
Max hesitated for a moment, then said,"There's something I have to confess."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX1O99vvQ6
That caught Nicol's attention. For a second, she thought it might be something serious.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAXFAzzaQ3
Max sighed."I'm kind of embarrassed about it. I'm 23… and I still live with my mom."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDBMrl38Be
Nicol burst out laughing — not in a mean way, but genuinely amused.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr5r5LAicI
Max looked at her, slightly puzzled."What's so funny?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqGNTmTcBY
"Oh, come on," Nicol said, still grinning, "that's totally fine."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DnIw0EJfj
"Really?" he asked, surprised.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWY3rWlFEY
"Yeah, really." She looked him in the eyes and smiled again.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ECkNMKlOL
Max smiled back."It's just… I've got friends who are younger than me, and they already have their own place. And I'm like—"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNAd2nkW0v
"—It's okay," she interrupted gently.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0wZP4mor9
Max looked at her and asked,"And what about you? Tell me something about yourself."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2l0ROCt4L
Nicol smiled and replied,"Well… I've lived with my grandmother since I was little — you already know that. I love writing books."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITj6IEmEs4
Max's face lit up."I love when someone has passions like that. Maybe one day you'll write about Mr. Right. 'He pulled me into his arms, and I never wanted to leave…'"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpg0okYgoO
They both laughed, and Nicol nudged him playfully."Maybe I will… who knows," she said with a smile.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxFmhP7pe9
They had moved deeper into the park now. As they walked, Nicol couldn't stop laughing at Max's jokes. She liked the way he talked, the way he looked at her. Then he turned to face her, his gaze lingering just a little longer. Nicol started to feel something — something slow and quiet but real. The way he looked at her… no one had ever looked at her like that before.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj5DQi7S4b
Their eyes met again."We have the same eye color," Nicol said softly.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBtHQ7hitX
Max had warm hazel-green eyes. Nicol's were a soft green mixed with hints of brown — light and full of expression.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUB1a2FoJE
"I don't think so," Max said suddenly.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmz2HIFl3c
Nicol blinked. For a second, she felt something twist inside her — a flash of insecurity, wondering if he wasn't interested after all. A dozen thoughts rushed through her head.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnEH6cHwZ7
But then Max smiled and added,"I think yours are way more beautiful."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnAn4pDpih
She laughed and opened the energy drink he had given her earlier. He opened his too. With every joke Max made, with every word he spoke, Nicol felt the corners of her lips lift again and again. There was something about him — something so sweet and easy to love.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjpd0aS2it
And in that moment, all Nicol really wanted to do… was kiss him.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUXiNxzHRK
But she was too shy.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrZnPlg18F
Then Max asked her,"Wanna go for a walk?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4D6Z9BBJE
"Sure," Nicol replied.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUX6a6kdtg
As they walked, the air was getting colder. Patches of snow had turned into icy spots on the ground. At one point, Nicol slipped — her foot sliding right out from under her — but Max caught her just in time.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0io7HxHlc
She burst out laughing."I'm such a klutz."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDKYAEu4Gt
Max grinned."Yeah, you really are."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiAEixF3Vh
They both laughed as they kept walking. The topic shifted when Nicol brought up something her friends had told her.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5viSo1el8P
"They said you're probably some kind of creep… just because you're five years older than me."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTdvNerx2F
Max laughed out loud and teased,"Well then… you better watch out for me."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdnldpuBlU
Nicol giggled."Oh, please. I'm not scared of you. I know you're not some creep. You're sweet, kind… and funny."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mpQ1TrcmY
Max looked at her and smiled. She smiled back, and they kept walking, step by step in the crisp winter air.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV1MMh4uI9
They started talking about school, about the future, their dreams. Max told Nicol he had finished studying design and graphic arts — that he'd been to university.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kSnMMC43r
"Wow," Nicol said. "That's way ahead of me. I'm just a student… and I work part-time as a shop assistant."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkQ3iogK9P
Max shook his head."There's nothing wrong with that. My mom used to work as a shop assistant too — now she owns her own hair salon."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WFhJQvqAy
"Whoa, really? That's awesome," Nicol said.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ5f3yeLuE
They walked across a small wooden bridge, their breath visible in the cold. The conversation turned back to college — to why Max hadn't finished some courses at first. He started ranting about one of the professors, imitating her voice, and Nicol joined in the laughter, barely able to stop.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMdP1h7CJa
"I think I'd like to finish school and get my diploma for the field I started in."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKVgGJgzEu
Max nodded."That's a good idea."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy61HdsWLQl
"Yeah, but… I don't really enjoy the subject," Nicol added. "So I probably don't want to work in it. I don't see myself as a shop assistant forever."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgpLyzBiOm
"I get that," Max said. "Totally understandable."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xkKSDcSnX
After a moment, Max looked at her and asked,"Why are you still holding your phone in your hand? Put it in your bag."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhNCRTPE0C
Nicol laughed."I don't know! I guess I'm just used to holding it all the time."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3BsibLLIx
They both started laughing again.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFUvvQcG5v
Meanwhile, Max's thoughts were somewhere else. A part of him really wanted to hold her hand — to feel that little connection — but he didn't get the chance. Her hands were either tucked into the pockets of her jacket… or busy holding that phone.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPyE28qBEC
As they walked further, their conversation shifted again. Max asked,"So… if you weren't working in retail, what would you actually want to do?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kvNvUNzeS
Nicol thought for a second."I think I'd love to work with houses — decorating them, furnishing them. That kind of stuff. I enjoy it... probably because I play The Sims 4 a lot."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCb55iFo3e
"You play Sims?" Max looked at her, surprised. "You never told me that!"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNM4c1hOGo
"Yes I did," Nicol said with a smirk. "We talked about it when we were texting."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnaWxKgXPj
They stopped for a moment, laughing."No way, you definitely didn't," Max said.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2n1Im9Q4d
"I so did," Nicol insisted, still smiling.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuEtv2nEvq
"Alright," Max grinned, pulling out his phone. "Let's check. I'm opening Instagram — searching our messages."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8GH4G3Vb8
He scrolled for a second, then said,"See? It's not there."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcBNqXOtfa
He raised an eyebrow."So who'd you tell that to? What other guy?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IvBiH4LuU
"Oh please," Nicol laughed. "No one. Just you."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClm7ZlLhbE
They both burst out laughing again. Then Max started telling her about his day."I went to the hairdresser earlier today," he said. "Told my friend I was thinking of shaving off my mustache."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEeN6uCqbi
"What?!" Nicol laughed.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcOdRR5paG
"Yeah," he nodded. "And she was like, 'Are you crazy? It looks good on you!'"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHy0PXeenq
He glanced at her."I was gonna shave it because, you know… back when we hadn't met yet, you said I looked better without it."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xZPlOGlY7
Nicol stopped walking for a moment."Oh, come on. It actually suits you. I'm glad you didn't shave it."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApurZ6mejY
Max looked at her and smiled. Their eyes met again, and for a few seconds, they just stayed like that — quietly, comfortably.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwJQFblLRs
They walked a short path before Max pointed ahead and said,"There's a bus stop here. This one goes to your town… you know, just in case you feel like escaping."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS7e8Ay0hp
Nicol burst out laughing."Oh, stop it — I don't want to escape!"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDDyIaaG7m
They passed by a building, and Max pointed at it with a grin."Look, I'll drop you off at the Alzheimer's home."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcdSNGMcvV
"No way!" Nicol laughed. "Don't you dare!"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtybkhTvCpf
She couldn't stop giggling. One of the things she liked most about him was how he could joke about absolutely anything — and make it funny without trying too hard.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZDHt1GGtp
They kept walking and talking about their families. After a while, Max looked at her curiously.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgNBjTb7Ck
"Why do you always walk on the side of the sidewalk closest to the road?"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNOYFCIrdJ
Nicol laughed."Because… I don't know? That's normal!"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcLkmLyE6D
Max shook his head with a smirk."You know there's a rule, right? The lady walks on the inside, and the guy on the side closer to the street — to protect her."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bhy4f98Px
Nicol smiled at him teasingly."Relax, nothing's going to happen. I'll be fine."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eQ4Kxxhdt
She laughed again — but she liked that. She liked that he cared, that he was a bit of a gentleman without even realizing it.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZjQDCTgOy
Just then, a cyclist came speeding from behind — right past Nicol — ringing his bell loudly. She jumped a little, startled.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h59JQGnIu
Max immediately pulled her gently to his side."See?" he said. "That's exactly what I was talking about."13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSf977vFPt
Nicol laughed, her heart still racing a little."Alright, alright — you were right!"13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOymhKTCHWK
They both laughed again as they kept walking, the mood even lighter than before.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tSuvqYX8M
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