Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 88 – The Shape of Something New

Lucas:

No, I just stayed awake after you fell asleep on my shoulder. That's different.

(You're cute, by the way.)

Her cheeks still burned when she read that. And again when she reread it later, like she couldn't quite believe this was real.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

She had never been someone who rushed into feelings. She liked plans, clarity, and logic. But with Lucas, nothing about this was clean or calculated.

It was messy. Quiet. Unexpectedly.

And it was real.

An Unusual Invitation

That afternoon, just as she was packing up her laptop after literature class, Lucas appeared beside her desk like a shadow materializing.

"Are you busy tonight?"

Evelyn blinked, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "No plans. Why?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, a faint flush in his cheeks. "I, um... my mom's in town."

Her steps slowed. "Oh?"

"Just for the night. She's meeting with an old colleague nearby and thought we could grab dinner. I told her about you."

Evelyn stopped completely. "Wait. What did you tell her?"

Lucas looked almost sheepish. "That you're someone important to me. That I'd like her to meet you."

"Oh." Her brain short-circuited slightly. "That's... a lot."

"You don't have to come. I get it if it's too soon." He hesitated, then added, "She's nice, though. Like, criminally polite. I Think aggressively pouring tea is the solution to most problems."

Evelyn laughed before she could stop herself. "Are you sure she's your mom?"

"Hey," he said with mock offense. "Some of that charm is genetic."

She tilted her head. "You want me to come?"

Lucas looked at her then—not teasing, not coaxing. Just there.

"Yeah. I do."

Dinner with the Unofficial In-Law

The restaurant was small and warm, all flickering candlelight and mismatched tableware. Evelyn clutched her coat tightly as they walked through the door, the scent of roasted garlic and lemon thyme settling instantly around her.

Lucas's mom was already seated at a corner table, dressed in a navy coat and a soft cream scarf. She looked up the second they approached and smiled like Evelyn was the most natural thing in the world to see by her son's side.

"You must be Evelyn," she said, rising to give her a gentle hug. "Lucas has told me so much about you."

Evelyn blinked. "Hopefully only the good parts."

"Oh no," Lucas muttered, "I told her about the time you spilled an entire coffee on my notes and tried to dry them with a hairdryer."

Evelyn gasped. "You traitor!"

His mother laughed—an easy, warm sound that set Evelyn at ease almost instantly.

Dinner was comfortable in a way that surprised her. They talked about everything—books, hometowns, Evelyn's favorite painting in the campus gallery. Lucas's mom didn't pry, didn't pressure. But her eyes were sharp, kind. Like she saw more than she let on.

At one point, when Lucas excused himself to take a call outside, his mom leaned in slightly.

"He's different around you, you know."

Evelyn blinked. "Different how?"

"Calmer. Softer. Like he's settled in his skin a little more."

Evelyn lowered her gaze. "I'm still figuring things out. But... I care about him."

"That's all I needed to hear." She smiled. "He's had enough uncertainty. I'm glad he found someone who sees him."

Evelyn's throat tightened unexpectedly.

When Lucas returned, he gave them both suspicious looks. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing," Evelyn said quickly.

His mother winked. "Girl talk."

Late Night Wanderings

After dinner, they walked aimlessly through the city. The streets were still busy, but quieter now, washed in amber light. Evelyn's hand found Lucas's easily.

"She likes you," he said.

"I like her," she replied.

They passed a bookstore with a closed sign hanging in the window and paused to peer through the glass at the display of spring poetry collections.

"You think this thing we're doing," Evelyn said softly, "is going to change everything?"

Lucas looked at her sideways. "Isn't it supposed to?"

She gave a small laugh. "I mean the good things. The friendship, the ease. I don't want to lose that."

He turned fully then, facing her. "You're not losing anything, Evie. We're just adding to it."

That quiet, steady way he said it made her chest ache in the best way.

He took a breath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "This thing between us? It's not going to make life easier. But it'll make it ours. And I want that. Every complicated, beautiful part of it."

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her heart thudding.

"Okay," she whispered.

And then, slowly, he leaned in—not fast, not desperate, just close enough to ask without words.

Her answer was in the way she met him halfway.

Their first kiss was soft. Careful. Like a promise sealed in quiet light.

When they pulled back, Lucas rested his forehead against hers, smiling.

"Was that okay?"

Evelyn nodded, barely breathing.

"Yeah," she said. "More than okay."