Chapter 3: Shared Passions
203 Words
Chapter 3: Shared Passions
Dawn broke gold over Kirstenbosch, dew sparkling on fynbos like diamonds among the green.
Maya led Alex through proteas and towering aloes, talking plants with infectious passion – pollination tricks of the king protea, how the silversmiths used to weave baskets from these exact reeds. He snapped photos – flowers, her laughing face, light filtering through leaves like stained glass.
They paused at a gazing-ball baobab.
"Like nature's cathedral," she said, voice hushed.
"Like you," he murmured, capturing her smile on camera. She looked up, cheeks flushing pink as the proteas. "You make beauty contagious," he added, lowering the lens.
Maya looked away, shy suddenly. "Come see the night-blooming cereus. Blooms once a year."
They lingered among scents, talking art and chaos. As sun climbed, they found shade under a tree.
"Coffee?" she asked.
"Need caffeine." They walked to a hidden café in the gardens. Over steaming mugs, Maya pulled out her phone. "Pete's having a party tonight. Join us?"
Alex hesitated. "Pete's still…Pete."
Maya laughed. "Exactly. He'll love having you back."
The day spun out – galleries, secret beaches, old haunts. Dusk found them laughing on a mountain trail. As stars popped, Alex realized he'd forgotten to breathe.
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