The first few days in Derrick’s apartment felt like a whirlwind. Leah had thought moving in would be a gradual process, but once she started unpacking, everything seemed to fall into place more quickly than expected. One moment, she was carefully arranging her books on the shelves in the living room, and the next, she was reorganizing the closet to make room for her clothes. By the end of the first week, it felt like she had always been there.

  Derrick had been nothing but accommodating. He helped her carry boxes, rearrange furniture, and even went out of his way to pick up a few extra things she needed without her asking. He made it easy—easier than she expected.

  One evening, after a long day of settling in, Leah found herself curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over her legs, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Derrick sat next to her, scrolling through a movie selection on the TV. The apartment, which had once felt sleek and modern—almost impersonal—now carried subtle touches of her. A throw pillow here, a stack of her favorite books there. It was starting to feel like home.

  “This one?” Derrick asked, pointing at the screen.

  Leah glanced at the title and raised an eyebrow. “A psychological thriller? Are you trying to make sure I never sleep?”

  Derrick chuckled and shook his head. “Alright, fine. You pick.”

  She smirked, taking the remote from him and flipping through the options until she landed on an old romantic comedy. Derrick groaned playfully, but he didn’t argue.

  Halfway through the movie, Leah found herself resting her head against his shoulder, lulled by the warmth of his body and the steady rise and fall of his breathing. She had never imagined herself in this position so soon. Moving in with someone was a big step—one that she had always thought she’d hesitate to take. But with Derrick, everything felt natural, as if they had been building toward this moment all along.

  “I like this,” she murmured, breaking the comfortable silence.

  Derrick turned his head slightly, his lips brushing against her temple. “Like what?”

  “This. Us. Being here.”

  He smiled against her skin. “Me too.”

  A week passed, and Leah had begun settling into a new routine. She still met Emily for lunch a couple of times a week, still made time for her favorite bookstore runs and long walks through the city. But now, she had a home to return to that wasn’t just a place—it was with someone.

  One afternoon, as she was finishing up some editing work in the kitchen, Derrick walked in, loosening his tie as he leaned against the counter.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “How was your day?” he asked, his voice warm and familiar.

  Leah sighed, rubbing her temples. “Long. The manuscript I’m working on is a mess. It’s like the author tried to cram three different stories into one, and now I have to help make sense of it all.”

  Derrick chuckled. “Sounds exhausting.”

  She stretched her arms over her head and nodded. “It is. But enough about my work. How was yours?”

  He rolled his shoulders, looking mildly frustrated. “Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. If I hear the word ‘synergy’ one more time, I might lose it.”

  Leah laughed, standing up to wrap her arms around his waist. “Well, lucky for you, I’m a firm believer that work stress can be cured with good food and wine.”

  Derrick kissed the top of her head. “Are you offering to cook?”

  She pulled back and grinned. “Nope. I’m offering to order takeout.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “I love the way you think.”

  They spent the rest of the evening sprawled out on the floor with containers of Thai food between them, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Leah found herself watching Derrick as he spoke, memorizing the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way he gestured with his hands when he was particularly passionate about something. She had always believed that love was something that happened slowly, a gradual unfolding. But with Derrick, it was like every day cemented something deeper, something unshakable.

  Despite how well things were going, Leah still felt occasional waves of doubt. Not about Derrick—never about Derrick. But about how fast everything had happened. One evening, after Derrick had fallen asleep, she lay awake staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.

  She reached for her phone and texted Emily.

  Leah: You up?

  A minute later, her phone vibrated with a response.

  Emily: Always. What’s up?

  Leah: Am I crazy for moving in with him this fast?

  Emily: Nope. But are you freaking out?

  Leah: A little.

  Emily: Totally normal. But Leah, I’ve never seen you this happy. If it feels right, don’t overthink it.

  Leah let out a slow breath, staring at the screen. Emily was right. Overthinking was her default, but maybe, just this once, she didn’t need to. Maybe she could just let herself be happy.

  Leah: Thanks, Em.

  Emily: That’s what I’m here for. Now go to sleep, you overthinking mess.

  Leah laughed quietly, setting her phone aside before turning over to face Derrick. His breathing was slow and even, his face relaxed in sleep. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

  Maybe she didn’t need all the answers right now. Maybe love didn’t always come with a clear roadmap. But as she lay there, feeling the steady warmth of him beside her, she knew one thing for certain: she was exactly where she was meant to be.