Before the Sun Sets

The Beautiful Possibility of Again

Season One | Episode Five

Before the Sun Sets

At approximately half past noon that afternoon, another knock came at her hotel room door. 

She looked up from her laptop and laughed to herself. After the beautiful bouquet of yellow tulips that had arrived earlier that morning, she couldn’t imagine who else would be sending anything to her room.

When she opened the door, a hotel attendant stood holding a garment bag and an elegantly wrapped gift box.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. We have a delivery for you.”

“Another delivery?” she asked, laughing. “Well, come on in!” She was giddy with excitement. 

The attendant placed the items inside, wished her a pleasant afternoon, and left.

She immediately noticed a small envelope attached to the garment bag.

Sunflower.

She smiled before she even opened it.

Good afternoon, Sunflower.

I pray you’re enjoying your day. I’ve taken the liberty of selecting something special for you to wear this evening. I hope you love it as much as I know I’ll love seeing you in it.

You’ll find a dress, gold sandals, and a few other items to help you enjoy getting ready. The perfume is something I thought you might like, and the champagne is for you to sip on while preparing for our evening together.

Please meet me at the elevator on the 28th floor at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Sunset is at 6:45, and I want to share that moment with you. I’ll be waiting to escort you upstairs from the elevator.

P.S. If you need help zipping up your dress, feel free to text me. I’d be happy to assist. 😉

Daniel

She read the last sentence twice before bursting into laughter.

“Oh, so THIS is what we’re doing now, Mr. Daniel?”

She carefully opened the garment bag and discovered a gorgeous, flowing dress that was both elegant and feminine. The fabric felt luxurious beneath her fingers, and the color was absolutely beautiful. The gold sandals complemented it perfectly.

Inside the gift box was a brand-new travel-size bottle of perfume and a miniature bottle of champagne.

She sat on the edge of the bed, shaking her head.

This man had already sent her favorite flowers, remembered how she liked her tea, arranged another date, and now purchased an entire outfit for the occasion.

She had prayed for a man who would pursue her intentionally, but Daniel was beginning to make her wonder whether God had forwarded him her entire prayer journal.

She picked up her phone.

Her: Thank you for the beautiful gifts. Everything is lovely, and I appreciate the thought you’ve put into tonight. However, sir, I believe I can manage my own zipper… if that changes, I will certainly let you know. 😉

His response came almost immediately.

Daniel: I never doubted that, Sunflower. I was just hoping you’d give me a reason to see you before six.

She laughed.

Her: You are trouble.

Daniel: Only the good kind. I’ll see you at six, beautiful.

She smiled at her phone.

“Honey, what have I gotten myself into?”

By late afternoon, she had showered and begun getting ready. Music played softly while she applied her makeup, carefully styled her hair, and admired the dress using the vision and magnification tools that helped her appreciate the details.

The perfume smelled incredible, and she applied a little to her wrists and neck before pouring herself a small glass of champagne.

She looked at her reflection and smiled.

“Okay, girl. You still got it.”

At 5:55, she gathered her purse, checked her lipstick one last time, and headed toward the elevator.

Daniel was waiting when she arrived at precisely six o’clock.

He wore a beautifully tailored suit that complemented her dress, and his entire appearance was polished from head to toe. His fragrance was warm and masculine, and the smile that spread across his face when he saw her made her momentarily forget the clever greeting she’d prepared.

“Well, hello, Sunflower.”

“Hello, Daniel.”

He looked at her for several seconds before slowly shaking his head.

“I knew that dress would be beautiful on you, but I clearly underestimated just how beautiful.”

She smiled.

“Thank you. And I see you coordinated your suit with my outfit.”

He laughed.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to notice.”

“So, you planned our outfits, too?”

“I wanted us to look good together.”

“Well, I must say, you accomplished that.”

He offered his arm, and she accepted it as they entered the elevator.

When the doors opened onto the rooftop, the evening air greeted them with a gentle breeze. Soft music played in the background, and the faint fragrance of fresh flowers drifted through the space.

Daniel guided her toward a private dining area that had been transformed into something extraordinary.

An elegantly dressed table for two stood overlooking the city. Candles flickered among fresh floral arrangements, and soft lights surrounded the space. Beautiful linens, gold accents, and carefully arranged place settings created an intimate atmosphere.

She stopped walking.

“Daniel, this is absolutely beautiful.”

He smiled.

“I’m glad you like it.”

She took a moment to appreciate the details she could see.

“How did you even think of all this?”

“You told me you enjoy sunsets, vineyards, and good wine. Since I couldn’t take you to a vineyard tonight, I thought I’d bring a little of that experience to you.”

She shook her head.

“You really do listen.”

“I do when someone has my attention.”

He pulled out her chair and helped her settle comfortably before taking his seat across from her.

A server approached and welcomed them to their private four-course dining experience. Daniel had arranged for a catered dinner with carefully selected wine pairings, beginning with a charcuterie board and guided tasting.

The first course featured artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, olives, and delicate accompaniments. The server introduced the first wine, explaining its origin and flavor profile before pouring a small tasting for each of them.

She took a sip and smiled.

“Oh, this is good.”

Daniel laughed.

“I thought you might like that one.”

She leaned back in her chair.

“I’m beginning to think you’ve been studying me.”

“Paying attention,” he corrected. “There’s a difference.”

She smiled.

“Well, you’ve certainly been paying attention.”

Their conversation flowed easily as they discussed favorite vineyards, memorable trips, childhood experiences, family, and the things they are planning to accomplish in the coming years.

At one point, she realized Daniel had been watching her for several seconds.

There was something about the way he looked at her that she found almost impossible to withstand.

His eyes were intoxicating.

He looked at her with a depth of passion that made her wonder what he was thinking and whether she was prepared to hear the answer. His gaze was deliberate, intimate, and filled with an unmistakable sense of desire.

He looked at her as though she belonged to him.

He looked like he was falling in love with her.

There was something almost unsettling about the certainty in his eyes, as though he had already recognized something in her that she hadn’t yet discovered in herself. He seemed to see beyond her appearance, beyond her confidence, and beyond the carefully guarded places of her heart.

She had known men who admired her beauty and men who enjoyed her company, but Daniel looked at her differently. His attention carried an intensity that made her feel deeply desired and profoundly seen.

She couldn’t decide whether to melt into his eyes or exercise extreme caution.

Good God Almighty. Those eyes are dangerous.

“Daniel, why do you keep looking at me like that?”

He smiled.

“Like what, Sunflower?”

“Like you know something I don’t.”

His smile deepened.

“Maybe I do.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“And what exactly would that be?”

“I know what I see when I look at you, and I know I don’t want to look away.”

She reached for her wineglass.

“Jesus, be a fence.”

Daniel laughed.

“What was that?”

“Nothing. I’m just trying to enjoy my wine, beloved.”

He chuckled.

“Do I make you nervous?”

She took another sip.

“I plead the Fifth.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“You can take it however you want, Mr. Daniel.”

They laughed together, and she was grateful for the opportunity to recover her composure.

As they finished their tasting, Daniel glanced toward the opposite side of the rooftop.

“There’s something else I arranged for tonight, but I wanted to make sure you’re comfortable with it.”

She laughed.

“Oh, Lord. What else have you done?”

He smiled and gestured toward a woman holding a camera.

“I invited a photographer to capture a few moments from our evening. I thought it would be nice to have some pictures together.”

She looked toward the photographer.

“A photographer? Daniel, you really have thought of everything.”

“I tried.”

She smiled, curious about what had inspired such a thoughtful gesture.

“Can I ask you why?”

“Of course.”

Daniel paused before answering.

“I’ve noticed how much you appreciate the details of things. Last night, when we were looking out over the city, you wanted me to describe the view. I noticed how carefully you listened and how much you wanted to experience everything around you.”

She nodded.

“I do.”

“I know your vision has changed, and I wouldn’t pretend to understand everything you’ve experienced. But I get the sense that you’re trying to hold on to what you can still see for as long as you can.”

She grew quiet.

He had recognized something she had never actually said aloud.

Since losing much of her vision, she’d become increasingly intentional about preserving memories. She took photographs even when she couldn’t fully appreciate them, sometimes enlarging them on her phone to capture details she might otherwise miss. She understood that her vision could change again, and although she refused to live in constant fear of that possibility, she treasured the opportunity to experience beauty while she still could.

Daniel gently took her hand.

“I don’t want to assume I understand everything you’re going through, Sunflower. I just thought that if tonight becomes a memory worth keeping, you should have something beautiful to look back on.”

She swallowed.

“That’s incredibly thoughtful, Daniel.”

He smiled.

“I want to know everything about you.”

She laughed softly.

“Everything?”

“Everything you’re comfortable sharing. I want to know what makes you happy, what frustrates you, what you’ve overcome, and what you’re still working through. I want to know your dreams, your fears, and the things you don’t always say out loud.”

She studied his face.

“That’s a lot to take on.”

“I’m interested in the whole woman. I want to know all of you.”

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

The photographer approached, and they spent the next several minutes capturing photographs near the beautifully decorated table and along the rooftop overlooking the city.

Daniel stood beside her with his arm around her waist, his suit complementing her flowing dress perfectly. In one photograph, they faced the sunset together. In another, they sat at the table with their wineglasses raised. The photographer captured candid moments as they laughed and talked between poses.

When she showed them a few of the pictures, the woman brought the screen closer so she could appreciate the details.

She enlarged one of the images and smiled.

“These are beautiful.”

Daniel leaned closer.

“So are you, Sunflower.”

She smiled, but something about the tenderness of the moment unsettled her.

She was beginning to like this man.

Really like him.

As they returned to their table for the next course, Daniel grew quiet.

“Can I tell you something?”

She smiled.

“Of course.”

“I’ve seen you before.”

She looked up.

“Excuse me?”

He laughed at her expression.

“I’ve seen you before. When we first started talking, you seemed familiar to me. I couldn’t quite explain it, but I knew there was something about you I recognized.”

She leaned forward.

“Daniel, where have you seen me?”

He smiled thoughtfully.

“I’ll tell you, but there’s something else I want you to understand first.”

“Oh, now you’re making me nervous.”

“I don’t want to scare you, and I’m certainly not trying to rush you. I’ve lived enough life to understand the difference between being attracted to someone and recognizing the qualities you’ve been praying to find in a partner.”

She listened.

“When I look at you, there’s a familiarity I can’t fully explain. It’s almost as though I’ve known you much longer than I actually have. The more we talk, the more I recognize the things I’ve wanted in a woman.”

She felt her heartbeat quicken.

“Daniel…”

He gently took her hand.

“I know this is only our second date, but I believe you’re the woman I’ve been waiting for.”

She stared at him.

He continued before she could respond.

“I’m not asking you to make that same declaration. I’m telling you where I am. I know what I want, and I don’t see the point in pretending otherwise.”

She looked at him for a moment.

“That’s a mighty big statement for somebody who barely knows me.”

He nodded.

“It is, and you’re right. There’s still a lot I don’t know, and that’s exactly why I want the opportunity to learn.”

She smiled faintly.

“I appreciate your honesty.”

“I want to pursue you intentionally, Sunflower. I want you to know what consistency looks like. I want you to experience what it feels like to have someone who chooses you every day.”

She glanced down at their hands.

Daniel’s voice softened.

“I don’t know who hurt you or what you’ve experienced in your past relationships, but I want you to experience something different with me.”

She looked back into his eyes.

“And what exactly does that mean?”

He held her gaze.

“I’m going to make you forget anybody ever hurt you.”

She laughed softly, although his words reached a place in her heart she hadn’t expected him to touch.

“Daniel, that’s an awfully big promise.”

“Then I suppose I’d better make sure my actions back it up.”

She shook her head, smiling.

“Honey, what is the catch?”

He burst into laughter.

“The catch?”

“Yes, the catch! What’s wrong with you?”

Daniel laughed harder.

“Woman, what kind of question is that?”

“It’s a legitimate question! You have sent flowers, bought me an entire outfit, arranged a four-course dinner, hired a photographer, and now you’re sitting here telling me I’m the woman you’ve been waiting for. Sir, something ain’t adding up!”

He laughed so hard he had to put his wineglass down.

“I promise you I’m not perfect.”

“Well, that’s a relief, because I was beginning to wonder!”

“I have flaws, just like everybody else. You’ll discover some of them as we get to know each other.”

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

“Do you have a secret wife?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Seven children you forgot to mention?”

He laughed.

“No.”

“A gambling problem? A criminal record? Do you collect toenail clippings?”

Daniel nearly choked on his wine.

“TOENAIL CLIPPINGS?”

“I’m just asking questions!”

They laughed until her cheeks hurt.

When he finally recovered, Daniel leaned forward.

“I can’t promise you perfection. What I can promise is honesty, effort, and consistency. You’ll have plenty of time to decide whether my actions match my words.”

She smiled.

“Well, I can respect that.”

He raised his glass.

“To getting to know each other.”

She tapped hers against his.

“I’ll drink to that.”

As the evening progressed, the remaining courses arrived, each beautifully prepared and accompanied by another exceptional wine. Daniel seemed genuinely pleased whenever she expressed how much she enjoyed something, and their conversation continued with the same ease that had characterized their first date.

As sunset approached, he stood and offered his hand.

“Come here, Sunflower.”

She accepted his hand, and they walked toward the railing overlooking the city.

“The sun is just above the horizon,” he told her. “The sky is turning this beautiful mixture of gold, orange, and pink. There are a few clouds catching the light, and the whole city looks like it’s glowing.”

She listened, trying to bring the colors and shapes into focus.

“I can see some of it,” she said softly.

He stood beside her.

“Tell me what you see.”

She smiled.

“I see the light. I can make out some of the colors, and I can see the outline of the buildings.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”

He turned toward her.

“Thank you for sharing this with me.”

She laughed softly.

“Daniel, you’re the one who arranged all of this.”

“I know, but you didn’t have to say yes.”

She looked up at him.

And there were those eyes again.

He was looking at her with such unmistakable passion that she momentarily forgot about the sunset.

His gaze held a certainty she couldn’t explain. He looked at her as though she belonged to him, and the intensity of his attention made her feel both desired and deeply understood.

She had spent so much time protecting her peace that the possibility of allowing someone this close was both thrilling and terrifying.

“Those eyes of yours are dangerous,” she whispered.

He smiled.

“Dangerous?”

“Very.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“Probably. I’m still trying to figure out whether I should run or stay right here.”

Daniel laughed softly.

“Well, I certainly hope you stay.”

She looked back toward the horizon, grateful that the evening breeze offered some relief from the warmth rising in her cheeks.

They stood together as the sun slowly disappeared, talking quietly about the beauty of the evening and the unexpected way their paths had crossed.

Eventually, Daniel mentioned that he would be flying home the following day.

She turned toward him.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, unfortunately. I have some responsibilities waiting for me back home.”

She smiled.

“Well, that’s interesting.”

“What’s interesting?”

“I’m flying home tomorrow, too.”

Daniel laughed.

“Now, how did we manage to spend all this time together without discussing that?”

“I have no idea!”

“Where are you headed?”

She told him, and when he shared the city he called home, the reality of their situation settled over her.

They lived in different cities.

Suddenly, the evening felt a little more complicated.

She had been so caught up in the beauty of the moment that she hadn’t allowed herself to consider what would happen when they returned to their separate lives.

There would be no spontaneous dinners after work, no quick visits just because they missed each other, and no easy way to turn this extraordinary evening into the ordinary moments that built lasting relationships.

She knew herself well enough to understand that she needed more than phone calls and beautiful promises.

She wanted presence, consistency, and someone who would make room for her in his everyday life.

Daniel noticed her expression.

“What are you thinking about?”

She hesitated.

“Distance.”

He nodded.

“I figured that might be on your mind.”

“I really enjoy spending time with you, Daniel. More than I expected, actually. But I also know what I want in a relationship, and I don’t know how that works when two people live in different cities.”

He listened without interrupting.

“I understand,” he replied. “Distance isn’t something we should pretend doesn’t matter.”

She nodded.

“Exactly.”

“But I also don’t believe we have to figure everything out tonight.”

She looked at him.

“That’s true.”

“What I can tell you is that I’m interested in getting to know you, and I’m willing to make the effort. I’m not going to ask you to believe a bunch of promises. I’d rather show you what I’m prepared to do.”

She appreciated his response, but her thoughts continued moving.

She had experienced enough disappointment to know that a beautiful beginning didn’t guarantee a beautiful ending.

She had learned to recognize the difference between attention and intention, between chemistry and compatibility, and between someone who enjoyed pursuing her and someone who was prepared to build a life with her, fully.

Daniel had certainly captured her attention in a way that truly caught her off guard.

The question was whether their lives could accommodate what was beginning between them.

He gently squeezed her hand.

“Sunflower, where’d you go?”

She smiled.

“I’m right here.”

“I know, but I can tell you’re thinking.”

She laughed.

“I’m always thinking.”

“Then let me ask you something.”

“Okay.”

“Can you allow yourself to enjoy getting to know me without deciding tonight whether this is going to work?”

She considered his question.

It was reasonable, and it was a good question! It took her off guard in a good way.

He wasn’t asking her to abandon her standards or ignore the practical challenges ahead. He was asking for the opportunity to demonstrate whether his intentions could withstand them.

“I can do that,” she answered.

Daniel smiled.

“Good, because I’d really like to see you again.”

She laughed.

“After all this, I would certainly hope so!”

They returned to the table for dessert, the final course of their beautifully catered dinner. The chef had prepared an elegant selection of sweets, accompanied by a final wine pairing.

The atmosphere had grown more intimate as the sky darkened and the rooftop lights became more prominent.

Daniel reached for her hand again.

“I meant what I said earlier, Sunflower.”

She looked at him.

“About what?”

“About wanting to know you. I want the real you, including the parts that aren’t always easy to share.”

She smiled gently.

“Be careful what you ask for, Daniel. I’m a whole lot of woman.”

He laughed.

“I’ve already figured that out.”

“And I have opinions.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Strong ones.”

“I’m counting on it.”

She laughed.

“You really do have an answer for everything.”

“Only when I’m talking to you.”

She shook her head, smiling.

He looked at her again, and the familiar intensity returned.

She felt herself becoming increasingly aware of the space between them, the warmth of his hand, and the unmistakable attraction that had been building since their first date.

There was something about Daniel that made her want to lower her guard, even as her better judgment reminded her that trust was earned over time.

She wanted to believe him.

She wanted to believe that a man could be this intentional without an ulterior motive. She wanted to believe that his words could eventually become actions, and that the tenderness she felt in his presence might be the beginning of something long-lasting.

But she wasn’t prepared to confuse possibility with certainty.

As the evening drew to a close, Daniel walked her back toward the elevator.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” he asked.

She turned toward him.

“Daniel, this has been one of the most beautiful evenings I’ve ever experienced. Thank you for everything.”

He smiled.

“I’m glad.”

“And I mean that. The flowers, the dress, the dinner, the pictures, the sunset. You paid attention to things I didn’t even realize you noticed.”

He gently took both of her hands.

“That’s what happens when someone genuinely wants to know you.”

She looked into his eyes.

There it was again.

That intoxicating gaze.

He looked at her with such tenderness and passion that she wondered how much longer she could pretend he wasn’t affecting her.

She smiled.

“You really are something else, Mr. Daniel.”

He laughed softly.

“So I’ve been told.”

The elevator arrived, but neither of them moved immediately.

“Sunflower?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know exactly how we’re going to navigate living in different cities, but I know I want to try.”

She nodded.

“I’d like that.”

He smiled, gently lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. 

“Then that’s where we’ll begin.”

Then came the forehead kiss.

She hugged him and in turn, he leaned down, kissing her forehead again, and then her cheek.

She stepped into the elevator, and as the doors began to close, Daniel looked at her one more time.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Daniel.”

“Is it ok if I text or call you when I get situated in my room?” He asked.

“Certainly. Talk to you soon.”

When she reached her room, she slipped off her sandals, placed her purse on the table, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Her yellow tulips were still sitting near the window.

The perfume he’d given her lingered softly on her skin, and her phone already held a few photographs from the evening.

She opened one of the pictures and enlarged it.

There they were, standing together against the sunset, his arm around her waist and their outfits perfectly coordinated.

She smiled.

He was handsome, thoughtful, attentive, and apparently determined to make her feel like the most desired woman he’d ever met.

He had also looked into her eyes and told her he believed she was the woman he’d been waiting for.

She placed her phone on the bed and leaned back against the pillows.

“Honey, what is the catch?”

She laughed to herself.

Perhaps there wasn’t one.

Perhaps the real challenge would be allowing herself to experience something beautiful without letting the disappointments of her past dictate what she expected from her future.

Still, she couldn’t ignore the distance between their cities or the fact that they would both be leaving tomorrow.

She had no idea what would happen next.

What she did know was that Daniel had managed to make her feel something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

She felt pursued, desired, and perhaps most importantly, deeply seen.

As she reached to turn off the bedside lamp, her phone vibrated.

Daniel: I made it back to my room. Thank you for another beautiful evening, Sunflower. I meant every word I said tonight. Sleep well, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

She smiled as she typed her response.

Her: Thank you again, Daniel. Tonight was truly special. Sleep well.

She placed her phone on the nightstand and settled beneath the covers.

Tomorrow, they would return to their separate cities and the responsibilities waiting for them.

Tonight, however, she allowed herself to enjoy the memory of a beautiful sunset, an extraordinary dinner, and a man whose eyes seemed to see far more than she had intended to reveal.

She closed her eyes, smiling.

Lord, if this man is trouble, please give me some discernment before I get in too deep.

Somewhere between that prayer and the memory of Daniel’s intoxicating gaze, she drifted off to sleep.

To be continued…