Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 66 – Lingering Thoughts

Evelyn lay in bed staring at the ceiling, sleep nowhere in sight. The warmth of Adrian's fingers brushing against her skin still lingered, an imprint she couldn't shake.

She turned onto her side, hugging her pillow. Why had her heart reacted like that? She knew Adrian cared about her—he'd told her enough times—but tonight had felt... different. The way he had looked at her, the way he had hesitated before pulling away. Was she imagining it? Or was there something unspoken between them, hovering in the air, waiting to be acknowledged?

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it, heart skipping a beat when she saw Adrian's name.

Adrian: Still awake?

Evelyn hesitated, then typed back.

Evelyn: Barely. You?

Adrian: Same. Too much on my mind.

She swallowed. Was he thinking about tonight too? Before she could dwell on it, another message popped up.

Adrian: What do you usually do when you can't sleep?

Evelyn smiled slightly.

Evelyn: I usually draw. Something mindless to clear my head.

Adrian: Let me guess... tiny, complicated patterns that somehow turn into a masterpiece?

She rolled her eyes, even though he couldn't see her.

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Evelyn: They're not that complicated.

Adrian: I've seen your sketches. They belong in a museum.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she typed quickly.

Evelyn: You're exaggerating.

Adrian: Nope. Just stating facts. But if drawing helps, you should do it.

Evelyn: What about you? What do you do when you can't sleep?

There was a brief pause before his reply came.

Adrian: Usually? Talk to you.

Evelyn's breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the phone, her heart thudding against her ribs. She reread the message, something warm curling in her stomach.

He had to be joking. Right?

She hesitated before responding.

Evelyn: ...Is that your way of saying I bore you to sleep?

Adrian: Pfft. No. If anything, you keep me up longer.

Her face grew warm. What was he doing to her?

Evelyn: Should I apologize, then?

Adrian: Never.

She bit her lip, staring at the screen, unsure of how to respond. Before she could think too much, another message appeared.

Adrian: Okay, I have an idea.

Evelyn: Should I be concerned?

Adrian: Probably. But hear me out. Get your sketchbook. I'll call you, and we can talk while you draw.

Evelyn hesitated. A late-night call with Adrian? While her thoughts were already tangled from tonight?

But even as she debated, her phone started ringing.

She stared at the screen before sighing and answering. "You're impossible."

Adrian's voice came through, low and amused. "And yet, you picked up."

Evelyn grabbed her sketchbook and curled up against her pillows. "Fine. But if I start ignoring you to focus, don't take it personally."

"I make no promises."

She smiled as she flipped open to a blank page. "Alright, what should I draw?"

There was a pause. "Something just for you. Not for an assignment, not for anyone else. Just something that makes you happy."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the pencil. That... wasn't what she had expected him to say.

She swallowed and started sketching, letting the pencil move instinctively. A quiet lull settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was easy, familiar. Now and then, Adrian would say something random—an observation, a joke, a memory—and she would respond, their conversation weaving seamlessly in and out of the silence.

Time blurred.

At some point, Adrian's voice softened. "Hey, Evie?"

She paused, looking at her half-finished drawing. "Yeah?"

There was a beat of silence before he said, "I meant it, you know. About you deserving good things."

Evelyn's grip on the pencil tightened. She swallowed, unsure how to respond. The sincerity in his voice made something ache in her chest.

"I know," she said quietly.

"Good."

The call stretched on, neither of them in a hurry to end it. And as Evelyn continued sketching, listening to the soft timbre of Adrian's voice, she realized something.

Maybe she didn't mind staying up late after all.