Thanksgiving weekend at Emma’s family home felt different that year. Maybe it was because of Alex, or maybe it was the way they seemed to click without trying. They had this natural rhythm, almost as if they’d known each other forever. Her parents’ house, a two-bedroom, two-bath single-story home with a walkout basement, had a contemporary style with clean lines and a welcoming simplicity. From the moment Alex stepped inside, Emma could sense the way they balanced each other out, like two puzzle pieces clicking together.
Take their conversations, for example. With Alex, nothing felt forced. He understood her quirks, and she loved that he was attentive and remembered the little things. When she’d mention something in passing—like her favorite type of tea or how she’d always wanted to learn
