A Glimpse of the Past

As they sipped their coffee, Emma couldn't help but notice the way Ryan's eyes seemed to cloud over, as if memories were lurking just beneath the surface. "Ryan, can I ask you something?" Emma said, her voice gentle.

Ryan looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course," he said. "What is it?"

"What was it like, being a soldier?" Emma asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Ryan's eyes dropped, his gaze fixing on the coffee cup in his hands. "It was... intense," he said, his voice low and rough. "You see things, experience things that most people can't even imagine."

Emma's heart went out to him, sensing the pain and trauma that lay beneath his words. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can only imagine how hard it must have been."

Ryan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. "It's not something I like to talk about," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "But I appreciate your understanding."

The silence that followed was comfortable, with neither of them feeling the need to fill the void. As they sat there, Emma couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Ryan might be hiding. What other demons was he fighting?

But for now, she was content to simply be with him, to offer a listening ear and a comforting presence. As the morning wore on, Emma realized that she had forgotten all about her breakup with Alex. For the first time in days, she felt a sense of peace, a sense of hope.

And it was all thanks to Ryan, this stranger who had appeared on her doorstep and changed everything. As they finished their coffee, Ryan glanced at his watch. "I should probably get going," he said, his voice regretful.

Emma nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Yeah, I should probably get back to work too," she said.

As Ryan stood up, Emma walked him to the door. "Thanks for the coffee," he said, his eyes smiling.

"No problem," Emma said, smiling back. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

Ryan nodded, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'd like that," he said.

As Emma closed the door behind Ryan, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had no idea what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful.

She walked back to the kitchen, feeling a sense of renewed energy. As she began to clean up the coffee cups, Emma's mind began to wander. She thought about Ryan, about the way he made her feel.

She thought about the way he listened to her, the way he seemed to understand her without her even having to say a word. Emma smiled to herself, feeling a sense of possibility.

As she finished up the dishes, Emma realized that she had forgotten all about her breakup with Alex. For the first time in days, she felt free.

And it was all thanks to Ryan, this stranger who had appeared on her doorstep and changed everything. Emma's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what the future held for her and Ryan.

Would they see each other again? Would they explore the connection that seemed to be growing between them? Emma smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement.

Only time would tell, but for now, Emma was content to simply enjoy the feeling of possibility that Ryan had brought into her life.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***