RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 54: FRIDA -

The sun was setting in a breathtaking display over the ocean, its golden light melting into hues of pink, orange, and deep purple.

The sky was a masterpiece of warmth, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside Frida.

The waves lapped gently against the shore, whispering secrets only the wind could carry. She sat there, lost in the beauty of it all, yet unable to shake the ache within her heart.

Laz sat beside her, silent, watching the endless horizon. The salty breeze tousled his hair, and for a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the ocean breathing.

They simply stared at the rolling waves, the distance between them an invisible thread woven from memories, regret, and something unspoken.

Is this what peace feels like? Frida wondered, bittersweet tears stinging her eyes.

Laurel watched the two of them from afar, the flickering firelight reflecting in her soft gaze. "I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as what they have."

Leo followed her gaze, then glanced at Danny, Ted, and Mike, who were engrossed in their game, oblivious to the quiet magic happening just beyond them.

"It really is rare," Evelyn murmured, her voice laced with longing. "To find someone you connect with, even without words."

John pulled Laurel closer, pressing a kiss to her hair. "It is. I just hope they can see past their differences and finally see each other."

Evelyn smiled softly, her eyes flickering with quiet understanding. "It’s a rare thing to find that one person who, no matter how far time pulls you apart, always finds their way back to you. Like a red string of fate."

Ted wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing his chin against her shoulder. "You noticed too?"

"Of course, I did. She’s my daughter." Evelyn’s voice cracked, the ocean breeze carrying her whispered pain.

"And I know, even though we don’t get along, she’s hurting. I feel it every time she looks at him, every time she yearns to speak but doesn’t. If there’s one thing I wish for this Thanksgiving... it’s forgiveness."

Laz shifted beside Frida, his fingers twitching against his knee. The air between them was thick with unspoken words.

He leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against hers, sending a jolt through her body.

The scent of him, familiar, aching, wrapped around her like the tide, dragging her under.

"I’m begging you to talk to me." His voice was barely louder than the ocean’s song, a whisper carried by the wind.

"I am talking to you," Frida replied, her nerves a wreck.

He turned to face her, his breath grazing her shoulder. "Then look at me."

She swallowed hard, blinking against the sting in her eyes.

But looking at him meant letting him see her, all of her. And she wasn’t sure she was ready for that.

His hand moved, tentative, his thumb brushing against her chin as he gently tilted her face up.

The weight of his gaze pressed against her skin, his stormy grey eyes brimming with something raw, something broken.

He leaned his forehead against hers, exhaling a shaky breath.

"I’m sorry."

She sighed, closing her eyes. "I know."

"Losing you... it felt worse than hell," he murmured, voice heavy with regret.

His words were stitching up wounds she thought would never heal, slow and soft, like a needle threading through her heart.

"What do you want from me, Laz?" she whispered, her voice fragile as seafoam.

"You," he breathed. "Just you."

Her heart clenched. "I still..."

"Don’t say it," she cut in, placing a trembling finger against his lips. She shook her head, her chest tightening. "Not yet."

He nodded, his thumb tracing slow circles on her arm. "I can’t give you what you want... but I can forgive you, because my heart aches too much being without you."

His breath hitched, his eyes widening as if he hadn’t dared to hope for this. "I can’t trust you... and I can’t forget yet..."

He held his breath, waiting.

"But we can be friends again. If you want. That’s all I can offer for now."

She turned away, bracing herself for anger, for frustration, because she knew that’s not what he wanted.

When silence stretched between them, curiosity gnawed at her.

Would he say no?

Would he give up and walk away?

She risked a glance at him, and what she saw made her breath catch.

He was smiling.

Softly, genuinely. Like he couldn’t believe what she had just said.

He took her hand gently, pressing a reverent kiss to her knuckles. "I’d be honored to be your friend again."

She blinked, stunned. "You’re not mad?"

He shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Aren’t you going to..." She pouted, then huffed, looking back at the ocean. "Don’t you...?"

His grin widened, the kind of grin she hadn’t seen in so long, it made her chest tighten. "I’ll wait."

She bit her lip. "Don’t you want to be more, though?"

His smile only grew. "I’ll wait."

Her heart fluttered wildly, not the way it had when she read those red notes. No, this was deeper. Overpowering. Real.

"Don’t you want me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Such a tease. I understand I messed up. I know it’s not easy for you to let me back in."

He exhaled, his voice turning softer. "But I’ve lived without you for too long. I missed you. I missed hearing you ramble about nothing. I missed being close to you."

He hesitated before leaning in, resting his head against her shoulder, his warmth seeping into her. "I missed you. Just you. So yes, I’ll take being your friend any day rather than spend another second without you."

She was silent, but inside, something was unraveling.

"Please let this dumbass back into your life, Frida." His voice cracked slightly, filled with something so raw it sent a shiver down her spine.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her like she was the only thing keeping him grounded, like she was the air he had been deprived of for too long.

And she let him.

Because that’s where she wanted to be.

In his arms.

For now, this was enough.