Every morning, like clockwork, Chani and Yossi found themselves at the same playgroup, both doing the daily drop-off before work. They’d started out with polite smiles, a nod here and there, but over time, there was a subtle shift—a look that lingered, a laugh that felt a little too easy, and soon enough, they’d started timing their goodbyes to their kids just right so they’d end up walking out together.

One crisp fall morning, as the leaves were just starting to turn, Yossi casually suggested grabbing a coffee to start the day off right. Chani hesitated for a split second, feeling that familiar thrill but brushing it aside just as quickly. “Yeah, why not?” she replied, giving him a warm smile that felt almost too natural.

They headed to a coffee shop in an area that no one they knew would see them, just for a few minutes, but their conversation flowed like they’d known each other for years. It was easy and familiar—like finding an unexpected warmth in the middle of a busy morning. The usual topics came up at first: the quirks of their kids, the chaos of morning routines, and the little things that made parenting both exhausting and rewarding. But soon enough, they were sharing memories, forgotten dreams, the sides of themselves they usually kept tucked away.

After a while, Chani glanced at the time and sighed, realizing she needed to get back to her day. They walked out together, her mind still lingering on the way he listened to her like no one else had in ages. She unlocked her car, ready to say goodbye, but then paused.

“Want to sit for a bit?” she asked, almost surprising herself. Yossi gave a quiet nod, his eyes meeting hers with that same unspoken understanding, and he climbed into the passenger seat, both of them closing the doors softly as if not to break the moment.

In the stillness of her car, it felt different—closer, more private. They didn’t say much at first, just sitting there, a comfortable silence hanging between them. She glanced over, catching his eye, and felt that unmistakable pull, the kind that made her heart beat a little faster.

Yossi reached over, his hand finding hers, fingers entwining in a way that felt natural, right. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and calm she hadn’t felt in a long time. They shared a look that said everything neither one of them had been able to put into words.

For now, just holding his hand in the quiet warmth of her car was enough. They didn’t need to rush. The mornings would keep coming, and now, they both had something more to look forward to.