May 17th, 10:16 pm
The car eased to a stop under the soft hum of streetlights. Jonathan killed the engine, stepped out, and walked around to open Lily's door like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"So why exactly are we here?" she asked, peering out at the empty park. The night hung quiet around them, the air cool and smelling faintly of rain.
Jonathan smiled. "I thought we could come look at the stars tonight."
A soft laugh slipped from her lips. "At ten p.m.? You really are full of surprises."
He motioned toward a blanket spread across the grass, a small lantern glowing beside it. "Come on. Trust me for once."
She sat down, smoothing her dress beneath her. "Please tell me you brought extra blankets. I'm not freezing for romance."
"Way ahead of you," he said, wrapping a blanket around them both, his arm lingering around her shoulder.
They looked up. The stars spilled across the sky like glitter scattered by a careless hand.
"Aren't they beautiful?" he murmured.
Lily leaned her head against his shoulder. The world felt small and perfect in that moment.
Then Jonathan shifted, his tone softening. "Actually, there's another reason I brought you here."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
Lily blinked, half-smiling. "Jonathan…"
"This day," he said quietly, "marks two years since I first laid eyes on you. It's not our anniversary, but it means something to me. So, I wanted to give you this."
He handed her the box.
"Go on," he whispered. "Open it."
She lifted the lid. A golden, heart-shaped locket shimmered under the starlight.
Her breath caught.
Inside, a tiny photo showed them at the beach—her holding the camera, his lips pressed against her cheek as she laughed. She remembered the crash of waves that day, the scent of salt in the air, the way he'd promised forever like it was the easiest thing in the world to give.
On the other side, engraved in delicate script:
"It is better to love than to love naught."
Her eyes filled. She kissed his cheek, voice trembling. "Thank you."
He smiled softly. "Keep it close. Always. A reminder of my love for you, my Lily."
She blushed, tucked into him, and for a second, everything in her life felt exactly where it should be.
⭐⭐⭐
"Beep. Beep. Beep."
The alarm dragged her out of sleep. Lily groaned, slapped the button, and stared at the ceiling. Morning light spilt through the curtains, cold and pale.
She dragged herself to the mirror. Her reflection stared back—same eyes, same lips, but something in her face had changed. Grief lived there now.
It's been a year, she thought. A whole year since Jonathan died.
They'd said the driver lost control of his brakes. Lily had been at the café when she got the call. She could still hear the doctor's voice, flat and final. She could still feel the world collapsing under her feet.
She turned on the shower, let the water beat against her skin, and tried not to cry.
By the time she was dressed, her expression was neutral again. Then she noticed something glinting on her bedside table.
The locket.
She picked it up, thumb tracing the tiny gold heart.
"Always have it on you as a reminder of my love for you, my Lily."
Her chest tightened. She slipped it into her bag and left.
Outside, the sign above her café gleamed in the sun. Jonathan's.
She'd bought it a month after he died—after Mr. Santiago decided to sell. She couldn't let go of the place where they'd met.
Inside, the air smelt of coffee and fresh pastries. His photos lined the walls; a painting of him hung near the window, his smile forever frozen in that easy, gentle way.
In the kitchen, chaos reigned.
"Those are brown eggs! I said white! Start over—now!" Chef Nelly's voice thundered through the noise.
When she spotted Lily, her expression softened. "Oh, Lily! Didn't see you there. How're you holding up?"
Lily forced a small smile. "I'm fine. Just dropping off the groceries you asked for. They're in my car—can you have someone grab them?"
"Nathan!"
A tall, broad-shouldered guy appeared like he'd been summoned by name.
"Go help the boss with her groceries," Nelly ordered.
Nathan nodded. Lily led him outside.
When he'd finished unloading, she thanked him quietly and drove away.
At work, her boss, Mr. Wilfred, caught her as soon as she walked in.
"Lily," he called.
"Mr. Wilfred," she replied, clutching her bag.
"I'll be gone next week for an emergency meeting in New York," he said. "I'd like you to handle the interviews for new hires. Monday morning. Can you manage that?"
"Yes, sir."
He nodded, satisfied. "Joycelyn will bring the files."
Once he left, the office fell silent.
Lily sank into her chair, her eyes drifting to the framed photo of Jonathan on her desk.
God, she missed him.
Missed the quiet laughter. The comfort. The way he looked at her like she was his whole world.
Her fingers brushed the locket through the fabric of her bag.
For a heartbeat, she could almost feel his hand over hers again.
She closed her eyes, whispering to the empty room, "I still love you."
Then she exhaled, opened her laptop, and got back to work.