They stepped out of the car and walked slowly toward the cabin. Max opened the gate, and they stepped inside. Nicol settled comfortably on the bed as they poured themselves drinks.
"Maybe we could watch a movie?" Max suggested.
"Sure," Nicol smiled.
"And… what kind? A horror?"
"Any kind. Which one have you seen?"
"Probably something we haven't watched yet…"
"That's fine," Nicol replied, their eyes meeting in silent understanding. Max grinned. "I know what I'll put on. I've seen it before, but it's actually a comedy with a touch of horror."
They smiled at each other and kissed softly. Lying side by side under the blanket, they let the movie draw them in. They laughed together, Nicol sipping her drink, and Max teased gently, "Don't get drunk on me here."
"No," she said with a small smile.
The evening passed quietly, filled with movies and laughter, their closeness growing with each shared moment. Slowly, Nicol began to drift off, resting her head on Max's chest.
"You ready to sleep?" Max asked softly.
"Yeah… that'll be best," she replied. Max fell asleep first, while Nicol's mind raced with thoughts of what might come next. She stayed awake until four in the morning before finally dozing off.
Morning arrived with the sound of birds chirping outside the open window. Max was already awake. They exchanged a gentle kiss, and Nicol knew it was almost time to leave. She agreed, and they got in the car.
The drive was silent. Nicol couldn't decide what to make of everything. When they arrived at her house, they shared one last kiss before parting.
All day, Max hadn't replied to her messages. Nicol tried to keep herself busy with friends, but a dull ache lingered in her chest. The next day, a message finally came:
"You know, Nicol… I don't think we really connect. There's no spark between us, and I don't see this going anywhere. I'm older, you're younger… we're just different in too many ways."
Tears slipped down her cheeks. She felt confused and heartbroken. "But why? We talked so well together. Is it me?" she typed, her fingers trembling.
"It's not you," Max replied. "We just don't understand each other enough. And that's perfectly okay."
Nicol couldn't believe it. She had hoped he might be the one, but now all that remained was a bittersweet ache. Still, she carried gratitude in her heart—for his kindness, and for how he had taught her to love herself. They parted on good terms, with a quiet hope that maybe, one day, their paths would cross again, and everything might make sense.