Pasco didn't waste time proving his sincerity. He
showed up at Debbie's door unannounced with her
favorite snacks, sent her thoughtful texts throughout the day, and even helped her study for an upcoming exam.
Their first real date was at a small art gallery
downtown. Debbie had been hesitant at first, but as
she walked through the exhibits with Pasco by her
side, she felt a flicker of the connection they once
had.
"This one reminds me of you," Pasco said, pointing to a painting of a single sunflower breaking through
cracked concrete. Debbie raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because no matter how hard life gets, you always
find a way to bloom," he said, his voice soft.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it
with a laugh. "That's a bit cheesy, even for you."
"Maybe," he replied, grinning. "But it's true."