The rain had cleared by the next morning, leaving the city washed and gleaming in the early light. Jasmine went through her usual routine—tea, an old sweater, and a stack of manuscripts to review at her office—but something felt different. Her mind kept drifting back to Alex: his quiet intensity, the way his eyes softened when he spoke to her, how he seemed to carry a sadness she understood but couldn't yet define.When her phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number later that morning, her heart skipped. She knew it was him before she even read the message.Hey, it's Alex. Couldn't stop thinking about last night. Are you free tonight?Jasmine felt her face warm. The thought of seeing him again stirred a mixture of excitement and trepidation. But as she typed out her response, a smile crept onto her face. I'd love that. Where should we meet?They decided on a small Italian restaurant near her apartment. It was cozy and dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background—a place where conversations felt private, intimate. When she walked in that evening, her eyes searched for him, and there he was, already seated, his eyes lighting up when he saw her."Hey," he greeted her as she slipped into the chair across from him. His smile was warm, genuine, and she felt the weight of the day melt away.They spent hours talking, sharing more of themselves as they sipped wine and picked at their food. Jasmine found herself laughing more than she had in ages, drawn in by his wit and his gentle sense of humor. Alex had a way of making her feel seen, as if he understood the parts of her that she usually kept hidden."Do you ever feel like you're… drifting?" she asked at one point, swirling her glass of wine. "Like you're just moving through life without really living it?"Alex looked at her, a hint of sadness flickering in his gaze. "More often than I'd like to admit," he said softly. "I think that's why I chose the job I did. It's intense, but it makes me feel alive. Like I'm really doing something."She nodded, understanding completely. "I think that's why I read so much. It lets me live all these other lives, even if it's just for a little while."Their conversation grew more serious as the evening wore on, touching on topics that felt too deep for a first date, yet somehow perfect for them. She learned that Alex had lost his father at a young age, that he'd grown up with a sense of responsibility that weighed heavily on him. She shared her own stories, too—the loneliness of moving to a new city, the feeling of being caught between who she was and who she wanted to be.By the time they left the restaurant, it felt like they had known each other for years. The air was cool and crisp as they walked down the street, their hands brushing occasionally, sending sparks through her. When they reached her building, she turned to him, feeling the familiar ache of goodbye."I had a great time tonight," she said softly."Me too," he replied, his gaze lingering on her face. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, and her heart raced in anticipation. But instead, he just smiled, his expression tender. "Goodnight, Jasmine."As she watched him walk away, she felt a mixture of exhilaration and longing. She barely knew him, yet he had already become a part of her world, a bright spot in the quiet rhythm of her life.