First Touch

The Turning Point

"How does he always know?" I wondered as William’s name lit up on the caller ID. I

always felt a spark of joy seeing that connection appear on my phone. Normally, I didn’t

share personal information at work, but with William it was different—there was a

comfort between us, a bond that had been growing steadily over the past five months.

At any other time, a late-day call might have felt intrusive, but since I was just putting

the final touches on my team’s latest project, I welcomed the chance to pause and hear

his voice.

Still, being at work meant keeping things professional.

“Thank you for calling Quantum Edge Media. This is Nova. How may I help you?” I said,

feeling a little silly using the formal greeting when I knew it was William.

“Hello, beautiful lady. It’s always good to hear your voice. Do you have a minute?” His

tone instantly transported me somewhere else, as it always did.

“Hi William… I’ll tell you what. I’m due for a five-minute break. Can you call my cell in

two minutes? I’m just wrapping up for the day. Sound good?”

“Anything for you, Nova. I’ll call you in two.”

My heart fluttered. It wouldn’t take long to lock up my station and head to the break

room. As I stood, Aria glanced at me mid-call, her eyes curious. I mouthed, “I’m going to

talk to William.” She smiled, gave me a quick thumbs-up, and I knew she’d want the

details later. I grinned back before slipping away.

I rarely took breaks, but William was worth stepping away for.

As I entered the break room, my special ringtone for him chimed. Perfect timing.

“Hello, William.”

“Wow… how do you do that?” he asked.

“Do what?” I teased, though I had a feeling I knew.

“Make the world vanish with just two words,” he said softly. “There’s something about

your voice—it melts away the day. I can’t believe how much peace you bring me, like

we’re alone on an island, just you and me.”

Even though he couldn’t see me, I blushed under the weight of his words. It amazed me

how, after five months of conversation, the fire between us only grew stronger.

"I think I can flip the ‘wow’ back to you. I love how you make me feel too." I couldn’t see

his face, but there’s something about knowing someone so well that even their breath

carries meaning—you hear the smile in their voice.

"I wish we had loads of time to talk, but that can happen later," I added, though my heart

stung as I said it. It was New Year’s Eve. We had talked about finally meeting face to

face, but with William running a successful company, I knew tonight wasn’t possible. We

did have plans for January, so I forced myself to focus on that, which helped ease the

ache—if only slightly.

"But I’m sure you didn’t call just to say hi, did you?" I asked, not wanting to fill the

moment with empty chatter.

"Actually, I called to ask what plans you had tonight," William said.

"Well, I was just going to go home, make myself some dinner, and maybe watch the ball

drop in New York City. Of course, I would have FaceTimed you to see if you wanted to

do it together." My tone lacked joy, but I wanted him to know he was part of my world,

even from miles away.

"However, my boss announced a company party tonight—live music, food, dancing, the

works. He invited everyone, plus ones included. I thought about going. Honestly, Aria

threatened to hog-tie me to her car if I didn’t." We both laughed at that.

"You’ll have to thank Aria for me," William said warmly. "I don’t want you spending the

night alone either. Besides, it sounds like fun—you won’t be alone." His thoughtfulness

always touched me.

"Thanks, William, but it would have been a better offer if you were there. I’d rather bring

in the New Year with you. I don’t need a party to be happy." A lump rose in my throat as

the sting of not being with him hit harder. I didn’t want this call to turn sorrowful, but what

if he didn’t even have time for me tonight? The thought made my eyes well with tears.

Thankfully, I was alone in the break room—no one would see me unravel. Pull yourself

together, Mary. Don’t turn emotions into a volcano. You still have January…

"Well, Nova," William interrupted my spiraling thoughts, "the idea of spending New

Year’s Eve with you would be hard to pass up, but I’ll have to decline FaceTiming

tonight."

His words sank into me like a boulder. I wanted to respond, to offer sympathy, but I

needed a moment to find my voice.

"I understand," I said, though the words sounded hollow, unconvincing. Try harder. "I

know you must have a lot going on, you know… heading into the New Year."

"I do," William replied. "But that’s not the reason I have to decline FaceTiming with you."

"Oh… okay." The words slipped out, but my chest tightened. I wasn’t sure I wanted to

know why tonight wasn’t possible. My mind betrayed me, pulling me back to the

memory of Roman at that restaurant, sitting with another woman. The sting of that

betrayal still lingered. William was nothing like Roman, and yet the shadow of that past

hurt reminded me I still had healing to do. I forced the thought aside—I wouldn’t let

William pay for Roman’s mistakes.

"Well, I hope you’ll have a good evening just the same," I said, trying to sound

convincing, though I wasn’t sure I succeeded.

"Thank you, Nova. I love how you always think of others before yourself. But… do you

want to know my plans for tonight?"

I winced. Did I really want to hear them? What if this was the moment everything

unraveled? If tonight was William’s exit, shouldn’t I want to know? I drew in a deep

breath.

"Sure… if you’d like to tell me. What plans do you have for tonight?"

"I’ll try to make this quick. I’m sure we’ve hit the five-minute mark for your break. Can I get a few more minutes of your time?"

Even with the possibility of heartbreak hovering, his concern for me was undeniable.

Thank God he couldn’t see my face—tears had already begun to slip down my cheeks.

Still, I steadied my voice. "Sure, William. My work isn’t too demanding right now. I have

time. What’s going on?"

"I’ve been thinking about tonight. Honestly, it’s been hard to concentrate on work

because all I can think about is you. Nova, you’ve been amazing—willing to talk with me

for five months and still want to be in this relationship. I appreciate that more than you

know. You make my heart beat in a way I haven’t felt in years. So I thought… what can I

do to show you how much you mean to me? I considered sending flowers and

chocolates—oh, that’s still in the works, by the way." He laughed softly, and despite

myself, I smiled. Still, I braced for the bomb I feared was coming.

"But that wasn’t enough. It’s not what I really wanted to do for you—or for me. So

forgive me, Nova. I made a plan that I hope is okay with you."

I held my breath. "What plan did you make, William?" My heart tightened, ready to raise

its defenses. For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was buttering me up

before delivering devastation.

"I checked online to see if there were any flights heading your way. I know we planned

to meet in early January, but that felt too far away. So I bought the last ticket available.

I’m here now—in a hotel, in your city—and I’m hoping I can see you tonight, if that’s

okay with you."

For a moment, my mind froze. His words tumbled over me, impossible to process all at

once. He wasn’t breaking up with me. He wasn’t pulling away. He had flown here—into

my world—just to see me. After five months of voices and promises, he was waiting in a

hotel, waiting for me to say yes.

The realization cracked something open inside me. Tears spilled before I could stop

them. The old pain of Roman dissolved, like ash swept away by the wind, and for the

first time in so long, I felt like I could breathe. This man cared. Truly cared. And the more

I let that truth sink in, the more my heart melted into peace… and maybe something

more.

"Hello, Nova?" William’s voice carried concern. He could hear me crying, and I knew he

was wondering if his surprise had hurt instead of healed." We can do whatever you’re

ready for. I know I sprung this on you, but I really want to see you. What do you say,

sweetheart?"

My tears shifted, softening from a flood into a hum. Through the avalanche of emotions,

I realized I had set the phone down, leaving him without an answer. His words echoed

in my ears, steady and patient, and I forced my voice to rise through the tremor.

"Oh, William… I’m so ready to meet you. You don’t know how much this means to me.

I’d be glad to spend the night with you."

As I wiped the last of my tears, I realized tonight would change everything. Five months

of voices and promises had led to this moment. The question wasn’t whether I was

ready—it was whether my heart could survive the reality of William standing before me.

And somehow, I knew the next chapter of my life was about to begin…