"Thank you, Nia," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. His words were more than gratitude—they were a prayer, a plea, and a promise all at once.
Nia didn't respond immediately. She couldn't find the words, nor did she need to. Her arms tightened around him, her body pressed against his as the last remnants of her walls crumbled which strangely made her feel lighter and at ease.
She felt his heartbeat steady and strong against her cheek, grounding her in a way she hadn't felt in years and the sparks tingled her whole body. They fit so perfectly.
Minutes passed in silence, the sound of the waves crashing softly against the shore their only witness. Zack's hand moved gently up and down her back, a soothing motion that calmed the storm raging within her.
