Brett had been attentive then, curious about her thoughts, and fully present in every moment they shared. He listened carefully, remembered details, and followed up on passing comments. She felt seen without effort, valued without performance, and surprised by how naturally he made space for her in conversations.
They talked on for hours about books they loved, places they hoped to visit, and their ambitions. Nothing sounded grand or reckless. Their conversations wandered gently, unhurried, building attraction and growing alongside familiarity, trust, and patience over time.