Romances de Riah

The morning after the final night of the Willow Creek Summer Festival felt heavier than the rain that had fallen overnight. The square was quiet now, crews already dismantling booths and packing away the fairy lights that had made everything feel magical just hours ago. Inside the house on Maple Lane, the usual morning sounds — coffee brewing, the soft creak of floorboards — carried a new tension.I woke up in Elias’s bed again, my body still warm from the way he had loved me the night before. His arm was draped possessively over my waist, his hand splayed across my stomach as if he could hold onto the future we both wanted. He wasn’t fully asleep; his thumb traced slow, clingy circles on my skin.“Morning, love,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. His voice was rough with sleep and emotion. “Last night… telling you I love you, making love to you… it wasn’t just heat. It was real. I meant every word.”I turned to face him, heart aching. His hazel eyes were soft, filled with t

The last night of the Willow Creek Summer Festival felt like the town was holding its breath before saying goodbye to summer. The square glowed brighter than ever under the canopy of fairy lights. Music pulsed from the main stage where the final band played upbeat covers that had families dancing and children running between booths. The air was thick with the scent of popcorn, fried dough, and the faint dampness of rain that had threatened all evening but held off for the grand finale.Amina was in her element, dragging me from booth to booth with infectious energy. “This is the best closing night yet! The fireworks are supposed to be huge this year. You have to stay for the whole show, Z.”I laughed, linking my arm with hers, but my stomach twisted with guilt. “Wouldn’t dream of missing it.”Elias walked a few steps behind us, hands in his pockets, looking every bit the proud father and respected local. But when Amina turned to chat with Lena at the cotton candy stand, he stepped clos

One day until the final night of the Willow Creek Summer Festival, and the town square buzzed with last-minute energy. Cleanup crews had restored some order after opening night, but the fairy lights still twinkled in the daylight, and vendors were setting up fresh stock. The air smelled of popcorn, sugar, and damp grass from another overnight rain shower.Amina, Elias, and I arrived together again, this time helping with minor repairs and restocking games. Amina was in full festival mode, wearing a bright top and chatting animatedly with Lena about the evening’s band lineup.“Tonight’s going to be even better,” Amina said, linking her arm with mine. “The band from Port Angeles is playing, and Mrs. Delgado promised fireworks at closing. You have to dance with me this time, Z. No hiding on the sidelines.”I smiled, but it felt tight. “Wouldn’t miss it.”Elias worked a few booths away with Tyler and Marcus, securing loose boards and testing lights. Every few minutes his gaze found me — w

The morning after opening night felt strangely quiet, as if the entire town was still recovering from the magic of the festival lights. Sunlight filtered weakly through the gray clouds, and the distant sounds of cleanup crews echoed faintly from the square. Inside the house on Maple Lane, the air was thick with the remnants of last night — the faint scent of cotton candy on Amina’s hoodie draped over the couch, the echo of laughter still lingering in the walls, and the heavy, unspoken weight of everything Elias and I had shared in the dark.I woke up in his bed again, curled against his chest, his arm draped possessively over my waist. His breathing was slow and steady, but I knew he wasn’t fully asleep. His thumb traced lazy circles on my hip, a clingy, reassuring touch that had become our morning ritual.“Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep. He pressed a soft kiss to my temple. “Last night… seeing you under those lights… telling you how I feel… it was real. All

One day had become zero.The Willow Creek Summer Festival opened its gates at dusk, and the town square had transformed into something truly magical. Thousands of fairy lights twinkled like captured stars overhead, casting a warm golden glow across the vibrant booths. Laughter and music filled the air, mixed with the sweet scent of cotton candy, fresh popcorn, and Mrs. Delgado’s famous lemon bars. Families wandered between games, children squealed at the fishing pond, and the main stage pulsed with the first local band warming up their instruments.We arrived as a family — Amina bouncing with nervous energy in a cute sundress, Elias in a crisp button-down that made him look unfairly handsome, and me in a simple summer dress that suddenly felt too revealing under his constant gaze. The three of us walked through the entrance together, but the moment we stepped into the lights, the weight of everything hit me harder than ever.Amina grabbed my arm, eyes sparkling. “This is it! Look how

One day until the Willow Creek Summer Festival, and the town square had become a living, breathing masterpiece. The booths stood tall and vibrant, their fresh paint gleaming under the soft afternoon light. Strings of fairy lights formed perfect glowing canopies overhead, ready to transform the entire space into a wonderland the moment dusk fell. The main stage was fully rigged with colorful banners fluttering gently in the breeze, the kids’ zone was a vibrant playground of games and colors, and the ring-toss poles stood perfectly aligned after countless careful measurements.We arrived mid-afternoon as the usual trio. Amina was practically vibrating with excitement, her graphic design portfolio tucked under her arm as she talked nonstop about the final signage tweaks she wanted to make. Elias carried a heavy toolbox, his Henley already showing faint signs of the day’s physical work. I walked beside them with my sketchpad, trying to focus on the tasks ahead while my mind kept drifting