"So what happened after the confession?" Emma asks, eyes wide and sparkling as she walks beside Neva.
Her enthusiasm is practically radiating like sunlight, impossible to ignore.
Neva's cheeks flush crimson at the memory. "Umm... w-we kissed," she murmurs, quickly hiding her face behind her sweater paws.
Her stomach swirls with butterflies as flashes of the previous night flood her mind—the way his lips felt against hers, the sweetness of the moment, the softness of the air around them.
Emma gasps. "What?! I can't imagine my sweet Neva kissing! Ahhh!" she squeals, nearly jumping up and down. She gives Neva a playful smack on the arm, feeling jittery and thrilled for her best friend.
"Emma!" Neva whines, face buried in her hands, the pink in her cheeks deepening to scarlet.
Laughter spills between the two bestfriends like birdsong as they stroll down the leaf-scattered path outside campus—just after finishing their lectures. Afternoon sun filters through the autumn trees, casting golden light across the pavement.
The other students nearby can't help but cast curious glances at the pair.
An hour earlier, Emma had glimpsed Rhett's name glowing on Neva's phone screen—and the way Neva's voice softened, how she tucked her smile like a secret—Emma knew. Ever since, she's been buzzing like a bottle of shaken soda.
Now, she can barely contain her excitement, itching to hear every single detail.
"So... any plans for today?" Emma asks, wrapping her arm around Neva's.
Neva knits her brows, pretending to think.
"Probably a date," Emma teases, leaning in closer with a wicked grin.
"With your new boyfriend?" Her excitement is infectious, and she almost squeals, waiting for Neva's response.
Neva rolls her eyes, but the shy smile that blooms on her lips betrays her, giving her away instantly.
Emma giggles uncontrollably.
"Angel!" a sudden, deep voice calls out, cutting through the breeze like velvet.
Neva freezes, startled, and looks around. Her heart skips a beat when her eyes land on him—Rhett, waving a hand at her.
He's sitting on his Ducati Monster, a hand lifted in an excited wave.
The sleek black bike looks every bit as dangerous as it does stunning, a perfect contrast to the warmth in his eyes and the playful smile curving his lips.
Emma smirks, glancing over at Neva with a teasing gleam in her eye. "Oh look who's here?" she says, wiggling her eyebrows. "I'll see you tomorrow," she whispers in Neva's ear, already knowing exactly how the scene will unfold.
"Call me later. I want every detail," Emma adds with a mischievous grin before strolling off, leaving Neva blushing and flustered in her wake.
Neva's pulse pounds in her ears as she checks the road and hurries across. Her steps are careful, but her breath quickens with every heartbeat.
He watches her with that signature, charming grin, his eyes full of something… deeper.
"Good day, Angel?" Rhett asks, voice honeyed, head tilted slightly.
"It was… good," Neva whispers, voice catching as she bites her lip gently, trying to suppress the smile threatening to bloom—her cheeks still glow pink, heat pulsing just beneath her skin.
"I'm glad," he says, smile deepening as he reaches over, holding out a helmet.
"Hop on, Angel. I've got a surprise for you." He winks playfully.
Neva blinks, eyes wide with surprise, but she doesn't ask questions.
She simply slips on the helmet, climbs onto the bike behind him, and wraps her arms instinctively around his strong waist.
The contact makes her breath hitch—his warmth, his strength, the steady rise and fall of his breath under her chest as she leans against his back.
---
After a smooth, fifteen-minute ride, the city has vanished behind them.
They slow as they approach a secluded area at the edge of a forest.
Rhett pulls the Ducati to the side of the road, parking it with ease. Tall autumn trees rise like ancient sentinels, their leaves ablaze in amber and scarlet.
"We're here," Rhett says, pulling off his helmet.
Neva removes her own helmet and hands it to him.
She climbs off the bike, a little disoriented by the new surroundings, and looks around.
The dense forest stretches out before her, a sanctuary for wildlife, its towering trees offering a haven of shade and mystery.
Rhett joins her, after securing the helmets on the bike, then reaches out for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers in a gentle, protective grasp.
"Stay close to me," he says softly, his smile reassuring.
He softly squeezes her hand as they begin to walk deeper into the forest.
They begin walking into the looming sanctuary of wildlife.
The forest welcomes them like a storybook—autumn leaves crunching underfoot, a canopy of fire-colored branches glowing above. The air is cool and sweet, thick with the scent of pine, earth, fallen leaves, moss, and distant water.
Rhett walks a step ahead, making sure to clear the way for Neva, gently brushing aside twigs and branches that might get in her way. His attention to her comfort and safety is obvious—each step is measured, every movement protective.
The ground beneath their feet is a patchwork of dry leaves, and the trees overhead create a canopy of vivid color, a miraculous, perfect picture of fall. With the soft murmur of the wind and the occasional rustle of animals in the underbrush, the forest is alive.
As they continue, the sound of running water reaches Neva's ears, growing louder with each step. Her eyes brighten, and she looks up at Rhett, anticipation clear on her face.
"We're close," he says with a smile, eyes meeting hers.
They walk for a few more minutes, the sound of water growing stronger, until they break through the trees—and Neva stops beside Rhett, breath caught in her chest.
In front of them, a waterfall tumbles down jagged rock with a magnificent roar, white foam crashing into a pool so clear it mirrors the sky and the forest.
Mist rises in delicate spirals, creating a sparkling veil in the sunlight of an autumn noon, and the surrounding trees that ring the clearing shimmer in gold.
Neva gasps. "Rhett…"
Do you like it?" Rhett asks, his voice soft, his gaze never leaving her.
Neva steps forward, her eyes wide in wonder as she takes in the scene.
The beauty of it overwhelming her, she stiffens for a moment, utterly mesmerized by the sight before her.
"It's so beautiful," Neva murmurs.
"I'm glad you think so," Rhett replies in awe, his voice soft.
"I love it!" she suddenly exclaims, turning to face him, her face lighting up with joy.
She skips toward him, her smile radiating.
Before he can react, Neva crashes into his arms, a spontaneous gesture of happiness.
Rhett stiffens at first, taken aback by the suddenness of it, but then, his arms wrap around her instinctively, pulling her close.
She buries her face in his chest, trembling with quiet rapture.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful," she whispers, her voice muffled, thick with emotion. "It's perfect, Rhett."
He exhales softly and tightens his hold around her.
She lifts her head and meets his eyes, tears shimmering in her own, her heart full. "I'm so grateful to you."
A soft smile curls up the edges of his lips, contended.
She tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Light, innocent. But the touch lingers like fire.
Rhett's eyes widen, his breath caught by the unexpected gesture.
A slow, stunned smile tugs at his lips as he pulls her even closer into his embrace.
"I'm so glad, Angel," he breathes, his hand moving to gently brush strands of curls away from her face.
Neva mirrors his smile as she pulls away gently, taking his hand and tugging him toward the water's edge. They sit together, watching the cascade, lost in its music.
The crystal-clear water crashes into the pool below, sending ripples across the surface.
The sound of the water, the rustle of the trees, and the crisp autumn air all combine to create a sense of peace, a perfect little while.
Neva leans forward, letting her fingers trail through the icy stream. She giggles as it bubbles over her skin—pure and playful.
Rhett watches her, heart tightening with warmth, and something deeper than words.
Neva lifts her chin up, closing her eyes to take in the fresh, earthy air. Her face is peaceful, her body relaxed in the serenity of the moment.
Rhett silently wraps his arms around her waist, pressing close. His chin rests on her shoulder. He breathes her in—rosee, books, and rain.
The moment is intimate, the world around them falling away.
"Growing up, I've always longed for nature," Neva speaks quietly, her voice almost lost in the soft sounds of the forest. "I felt, trapped in my own home, alone."
Rhett listens, still, unsure where this conversation will lead.
"My name's not really Neva Mae," she says, her voice steady but full of vulnerability.
Rhett stiffens slightly, confused. "What?"
"It's Neva Evara Noe." She pauses, the words heavy between them.
"I lost my parents in an accident eight years ago. I lost everything… even my memories. I've lived with my aunt and uncle ever since."
Neva glances at him, her eyes searching his. "Rhett, does it bother you—that I don't remember half my life?"
Rhett's expression softens, his hands tightening around her waist. "Not at all, Angel. Never."
"Even if the past is broken, we'll build something new. Something beautiful."
Tears shimmer in Neva's eyes.
She nods slowly, the weight of her confession lifts from her heart, replaced by a quiet sense of comfort.
"We will," she murmurs. "We can be happy together."
Rhett smiles, his heart full and warm.
He draws her closer, forehead resting against her temple. The sound of the waterfall hums behind them like a vow.
His Neva—her presence, her spirit—has already begun to fill the empty spaces inside him. And he knows that whatever the future holds, they will face it together.
"I have something to tell you too," Rhett says quietly.
"You do?" Neva murmurs, curious.
Rhett gently pulls away—and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'll tell you... when the time is right," he responds. "Is that okay?"
Neva studies him for a moment, a quiet riddle inside his deep eyes—but warm, full of something true.
She nods her head, a small, steady smile rising.
"Yes," she whispers.
"It's okay."