When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 148: Shared Sunrise

Chapter 148: Shared Sunrise

Timmy sighed, his grin fading a little. "I just wish he’d be honest with her about how he feels. I mean, it’s obvious he loves her, but he keeps it all hidden behind this cold façade."

Lily smiled sympathetically. "Maybe he’s just afraid of getting hurt."

"Yeah, I guess," Timmy said, his voice quieter. "But it’s frustrating, you know? I want them to be happy together. It’s like he’s trying so hard to be everything she needs, but he doesn’t realize that being honest with her might be what she needs most."

Lily nodded thoughtfully. "It’s always complicated with people like him, isn’t it?"

"Yeah," Timmy said, sighing again. "But I don’t know. I just wish he would open up to her. Let her see the real him, the one he hides so well."

Lily watched him for a moment, sensing the sincerity in his words. "I get it," she said softly. "You care about both of them."

"Yeah," Timmy agreed quietly. "I just want them to figure it out."

They laughed together, the tension between them slowly easing as they swapped stories. But as the night wore on, the chill in the air began to grow more pronounced. Ms. Aquila checked her watch and stood up. "We should probably head inside," she said reluctantly. "It’s getting late."

Timmy nodded, feeling the weight of the evening press on him. "Yeah, you’re right."

They walked back toward the lodge, both of them feeling a little lighter after their conversation. At the entrance, they paused, neither of them seeming quite ready to say goodnight.

"Thanks for keeping me company," she said, her smile warm and genuine.

Timmy’s heart fluttered slightly. "Anytime."

She turned to go, then stopped, looking back over her shoulder. "Goodnight, Timmy."

"Goodnight, Lily," he said softly, watching as she disappeared down the hallway, feeling a strange sense of peace settle over him.

---

The next morning, Timmy was up early, still replaying the events of the previous night in his head.

He walked out to the balcony, the cool morning breeze brushing against his face. He sipped his coffee, feeling a sense of calm that he hadn’t felt in days. It was quiet, except for the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, a peaceful contrast to the chaos he’d been living in.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he remembered last night. He’d spoken to Lily without stuttering, and not just that—he’d called her by her first name. "Lily." It felt natural, like they’d known each other for years, not just a few days. And that "Goodnight"—it came out easy, no awkwardness, no hesitation.

He’d never thought something as simple as saying goodnight could feel so right. The way she’d smiled at him, and how it felt like there was no pressure. Just two people sharing a quiet moment. Timmy leaned against the railing, savoring the memory of their conversation, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice behind him. "Up early, I see."

Timmy turned to see Lily standing there, holding a cup of coffee. She looked relaxed, her hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders, and she wasn’t in her usual work clothes.

"Couldn’t sleep much," Timmy said with a small chuckle.

"Me neither," she replied, taking a seat beside him. The silence between them felt comfortable, like it had always been this way.

For a moment, they both just watched the sun rise higher in the sky, the golden light spilling over the ocean. The colors were breathtaking, but Timmy found himself distracted by Lily’s quiet presence. It felt peaceful, like they were in no rush, and that alone was a relief.

Finally, Lily spoke, breaking the silence. "I’ve been thinking about what you said last night," she began, her tone thoughtful. "About your boss, and how much you’ve been juggling lately. It sounds like you’re overdue for a real break."

Timmy chuckled softly. "This was supposed to be the break. Guess I’m not very good at relaxing."

Lily smiled knowingly. "It takes practice."

He glanced at her, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. "What about you? Do you ever take a break from everything?"

Lily’s expression softened, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought. "Not often enough," she said quietly. "But moments like this—sitting here, watching the sunrise—they remind me why it’s important to slow down sometimes."

Timmy nodded, her words sinking in deeper than he expected. He realized how much he’d been caught up in the rush of things, always running, always trying to keep up with life. But here, in this quiet moment, he found something he hadn’t even known he needed: peace.

The weight of her words lingered in his mind, but it was a weight that didn’t feel heavy. More like something he could carry with him, something to hold on to as he moved forward. The morning felt different now, less about the worries that had been crowding his thoughts and more about simply being.

Later that day, Timmy found himself walking along the beach again. The laughter from the volleyball game was still fresh in his memory, but now that everyone had left for their flights home, the beach felt emptier. The loneliness crept in, but this time it didn’t feel quite as suffocating.

The waves lapped at his feet as he walked, the sand warm under his shoes. He’d never realized how much he needed the sound of the ocean, the way it seemed to fill the space around him without demanding anything in return. Timmy stopped for a moment, just breathing in the salty air, trying to appreciate the small things.

Just as he was about to turn back, he saw a familiar figure walking toward him. It was Lily, her sandals in hand, and a calm expression on her face.

"Care for some company?" she asked, her voice light and inviting.

Timmy smiled. "Always."

They walked together along the beach, the rhythm of the waves filling the quiet between them.

Lily glanced at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "So, what are your plans for the future?" she asked casually.