Hearts in His Hands

Chapter 4 My Love

By the time William dropped me off that night, my face hurt from smiling.

Not the polite kind of smile you wear in public, but the kind that stretches your cheeks and lingers even when you’re alone. The kind that comes from happiness sitting too comfortably in your chest to be ignored. I waved as he drove off, my heart still racing, my thoughts replaying the evening over and over like a favorite song.

I walked into my apartment feeling light, almost floating. The familiar space greeted me the couch, the lamp by the window, the quiet hum of the fridge but everything felt different somehow. The silence didn’t feel lonely the way it sometimes did. It felt full. Full of his voice, his laugh, the warmth of his hand brushing mine, the way his eyes softened when he asked me to be his girlfriend.

I locked the door, leaned against it for a second, and let out a soft laugh, shaking my head like I couldn’t believe my own life. If someone had told me a few weeks ago that I’d feel this happy, this sure, I would’ve laughed them out of the room.

I pulled out my phone without thinking and scrolled to his contact. My thumb hovered for a second, then I changed the name.

“My Love.”

I stared at it for a moment, my heart thudding, then smiled again. It felt bold. Intimate. Real.

The first person I called was Zara.

She picked up on the second ring. “Olivia? What’s going on? You sound happy already.”

“He asked me out,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could even slow down. “Like… officially. I’m his girlfriend.”

She screamed. Actually screamed.

“I knew it!” she shouted. “I knew it from the way you talked about him. Tell me everything. Start from the beginning.”

I paced my living room, barefoot on the cool tiles, recounting every detail the movie, the rides, the snacks we shared, the way he’d gone quiet for a moment before asking me, like it mattered. Like I mattered. Zara listened quietly for once, which was rare, then laughed softly.

“You sound really in love,” she said.

“I think I am,” I admitted, my voice low, almost shy. Saying it out loud made it feel even more real.

That night, I slept like a baby. No tossing. No overthinking. No replaying old disappointments. Just a deep, peaceful sleep, wrapped in the feeling of being chosen, of being wanted, of being William’s girlfriend.

The next morning, a knock at my door pulled me out of bed.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Still half-asleep, I shuffled to the door and opened it. My breath caught. A delivery guy stood there holding a bouquet of fresh flowers colorful, bright and insanely beautiful. A small card was tucked between the flowers.

Good morning, my girlfriend. Have an amazing day.

William

I pressed the card to my chest, my smile widening until my eyes stung. I didn’t even realize I was tearing up until I laughed at myself.

I took a picture still in my pajamas, hair messy, holding the flowers like they were something precious and sent it to him.

Me: I got them. Thank you, my love.

William: I’m glad you like them. You look beautiful.

My heart did a ridiculous little flip.

I told him I’d be meeting Zara later, and he replied with a simple Have fun. I’ll miss you. Such an ordinary sentence, yet it made me feel special all over again.

When Zara and I finally met up, I showed her the picture immediately.

“Flowers already?” she said, raising her eyebrows. “This man is not wasting time.”

“I know,” I said, grinning. “Everything feels so right.”

She looked at my face for a moment, then smiled but there was something thoughtful in her eyes.

“I’m happy for you, Liv,” she said gently. “Just… don’t lose yourself in him, okay? Love is beautiful, but always keep your eyes open.”

I nodded, even though in that moment, all I could see was William. His smile. His words. The future I was already imagining without realizing it.

And honestly?

I didn’t want to look away.