Before all this fear, Sandra remembered how simply it began—meeting Jake at a friend’s dull barbecue six years ago, both reaching for the same soda. Conversation flowed effortlessly, and by the end of the evening, they were laughing like old companions. Something gentle and undeniable had clicked between them.
Over the years, that quiet spark deepened into a steady, grounded partnership. What they shared wasn’t tempestuous or passionate, but they fit together in practical, comforting ways—sharing grocery lists, inside jokes, and Sunday pancakes. Jake’s reliability anchored her. He always showed up and supported her. She had built her life on that certainty.