Ava let a tear slip free.

“I’m afraid, Celina. Afraid of losing myself. Of forgetting who I am… of no longer being able to achieve my dreams.”

“Dreams change, Ava. They grow with us. And when you truly love someone, they don’t pull you away from your dreams—they help you reach them. Gabriel wants to walk beside you. And you deserve someone like that.”

Ava rested her head against Celina’s shoulder, her eyes closed.

“This all feels so strange to me, Celina… Gabriel, with that way he has, he’s slowly disarming me.”

Celina smiled, gently stroking her friend’s hair.

“It’s not strange, Ava. That’s love. And no matter how much you try to run from it, you love Gabriel. Live that love. You deserve to be happy. Don’t pretend you don’t feel it. Feel it… and live it. That’s what life is asking of you.”

She paused, then continued softly:

“There’s no way not to love Gabriel. He’s charming. And honestly, after a moment of love, with bodies tangled together, when the man you love comes close and sing