Liam walked quickly down the busy city sidewalk, weaving between pedestrians while keeping his head down. He checked his watch nervously as he hurried along - he was already ten minutes late. There she was, sitting at a small table by the window - Amber. Liam paused, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves before entering.
No worries. I'm just happy you're here now," Amber said, her big hazel eyes shining.
They chatted comfortably over coffee and pastries, talking and joking like old friends. But this was only their third date, so there was still an undercurrent of nervous energy on both sides. Liam kept thinking how he never wanted their conversation to end. There was something so warm about Amber's voice - the way it lilted when she laughed, the thoughtful pauses as she carefully considered his questions.
After an hour passed by too quickly, Amber sighed and said she should get going. As they walked out of the cafe together, Liam impulsively reached for her hand. A knowing look passed between them, conveying a depth of emotion no words could adequately describe.
Over the next few weeks, Liam and Amber fell into an easy routine. They would meet in the evenings for dinner or go on long walks through the city, always chatting endlessly. When they were apart, Liam found himself missing the sound of Amber's voice, like a song he couldn't get out of his head. He started looking for reasons to call her just so he could listen to her talk.
One night, as they strolled hand in hand down a moonlit path in the park, Liam knew the time had come. He stopped and turned so they were face-to-face under the pale glow of a streetlamp. Amber tilted her head quizzically.
Liam reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, leaving his hand cradling her cheek. "Amber, my feelings for you run deeper than I can express. You mean everything to me."
Her eyes went wide in surprise. Then her whole face softened into a radiant smile. "I love you too, Liam."
When they finally broke apart both flushed and breathless, Liam knew he would never tire of the sweet sound of her voice telling him she loved him. He wanted to hear those three little words over and over again, like music that never ends.
In the warm cocoon of each other's arms, neither Liam nor Amber wanted the night to end. But eventually Liam walked Amber home, sharing one last lingering kiss at her doorstep before parting.
As he rode the train back alone, Liam thought dreamily about their future together. He made plans to take Amber out for a romantic dinner the following night, already eager to see her again.
When Liam arrived home, he noticed he had a missed call from an unknown number. He pressed play on the voicemail, expecting a telemarketer. Instead, he froze in disbelief at the familiar voice on the recording.
"Liam...it's me." A lengthy pause. "It's Amber. We need to talk."
Liam's euphoric high came crashing down around him. Gripped by a dreadful feeling, he sank onto his couch and dropped his head into his hands. After everything they confessed, after all the hope he felt tonight - what could have gone so wrong already? With his heart in his throat, Liam hit call back, terrified of what Amber's voice would say next.
In the warm cocoon of each other's arms, neither Liam nor Amber wanted the night to end. They kept walking aimlessly through the sleepy park hand in hand, lost in their own world.
Eventually Liam noticed Amber shivering in the cool night air. Liam smiled and pulled her close as they strolled along.
When they finally left the park, Liam walked Amber home, sharing one last lingering kiss at her doorstep before parting. As he made his way back home, he replayed the night's confessions over in his mind like a cherished movie.
Liam knew without a doubt their future together would be bright.
