Jay POV
Dinner ended politely. Too politely.
Marco walked me toward the entrance, still smiling, still talking about something related to work—I nodded at the right places, laughed softly when expected, but my mind wasn't with him.
It was still inside the restaurant.
With him.
"I had a good time," Marco said, stopping just near the door. "Maybe we can do this again?"
I smiled. A soft one. Honest—but careful.
"Yeah. Maybe."
He didn't push. Just nodded, said goodbye, and walked toward the valet.
The moment he disappeared, I exhaled.
And then—
"Busy night?"
My spine stiffened.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
I turned anyway.
Keifer stood a few steps away, jacket draped casually over one arm, expression relaxed—but his eyes were sharp. Watching. Always watching.
"You follow all your business dinners?" I asked lightly.
"Only the ones that reject my movie invitations."
I rolled my eyes. "You're dramatic."
"You're cruel," he replied calmly.
I should've walked away. I knew that.
Instead, I stayed.
The night air felt cooler here, the noise of the restaurant muted behind us. Streetlights reflected softly on the pavement. For a moment, it felt like the world narrowed to just this space between us.
"So," he continued, voice casual, "that's what 'busy' looks like."
"Don't start."
"I'm not." A pause. "I'm observing."
I crossed my arms. "And what have you observed?"
His gaze dropped briefly—to my dress, my heels—then returned to my face.
"That you looked beautiful."
My heart betrayed me immediately.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I scoffed, turning my face away. "Don't flatter yourself."
"You're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
I glared at him. He smiled—not smug, not teasing—just… soft.
That was worse.
"You had a date too," I said, changing the subject. "Thought you were devastated this morning."
"I was."
"Recovered fast."
"Didn't have a choice." He shrugged. "Business."
That stung more than I expected.
"Right," I said quietly. "Business."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Cars passed. Laughter drifted from inside. Life kept moving—annoyingly normal.
"Did you like him?" Keifer asked suddenly.
I blinked. "Who?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking too many questions."
"Answering one won't kill you."
I hesitated.
"He's… nice."
Keifer nodded slowly.
"Nice," he repeated. "That's never a good sign."
I laughed despite myself. "You sound offended."
"I am."
"Why?"
He stepped a little closer.
Not touching.
Just close enough that I could feel him.
"Because nice doesn't make you look at the door every two minutes."
My breath caught.
I looked up at him. "You were counting?"
"I notice things."
Of course he did.
I swallowed. "Don't read into it."
"Too late."
The tension shifted. Thickened.
I should've stepped back.
Instead, I stayed exactly where I was.
"You know," I said, forcing lightness, "for someone who didn't consider his dinner a date, you looked very involved."
"Jealous?"
"Please."
"You watched me."
"You watched me first."
His lips curved slightly. "Fair."
Silence again—but this one felt charged.
Dangerous.
"Jay," he said, quieter now.
I felt it. The shift.
"Don't."
He stopped. Really stopped.
That mattered.
"I won't," he said. "Unless you tell me to."
My pulse raced.
I hated how much control he suddenly had just by not using it.
I should've walked away.
Instead, I whispered—
"You're unfair."
He smiled faintly. "You've always liked that about me."
And then—he leaned in.
Slow.
Enough time to stop him.
I didn't.
The kiss wasn't aggressive. It wasn't rushed.
It was soft. Careful.
Like he was asking a question with his mouth.
My body answered before my mind could.
I kissed him back—just for a second—before pulling away sharply.
My heart was pounding.
"Keifer—"
He didn't chase.
Didn't touch.
Just looked at me like he already knew.
"You liked it," he said quietly.
My face burned.
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means something," he corrected gently. "Just not everything."
I hated that he was right.
"Goodnight," I said quickly.
I turned and walked away before he could say anything else.
Jay POV — Later That Night
Back in my condo, I dropped my heels near the door and leaned against it, eyes closed.
The kiss replayed.
Again.
And again.
I touched my lips unconsciously.
Idiot.
I told myself it was nothing.
A mistake.
Temporary weakness.
But my heart didn't listen.
Keifer POV
I stood outside the restaurant long after she left.
My lips still tingled.
She hasn't moved on.
I smiled to myself.
And neither have I.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Jay POV — Morning
Morning light slipped through the curtains, warm and gentle, like it didn't know it was being intrusive.
I lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling.
The kiss came back instantly.
Not dramatic.
Not desperate.
Soft.
I pressed my lips together, annoyed at myself.
It didn't mean anything.
I rolled out of bed, tied my hair into a loose knot, and went through my routine like nothing had happened. Coffee. Toast. Phone facedown on the counter—because I didn't want to hope for anything.
I stepped into the hallway and froze.
Keifer was already there.
Leaning casually near the elevator. Dark shirt. Hands in his pockets. Like he'd just… appeared.
"Morning," he said.
Not smug. Not teasing.
Just… warm.
"Morning," I replied, cautious.
We stepped into the elevator together. Silence—but not the uncomfortable kind.
"You sleep well?" he asked.
I glanced at him. "Why?"
He smiled faintly. "Just asking."
"Fine," I said. "You?"
"Better than yesterday morning."
I refused to react.
The elevator stopped. We stepped out at the same time.
"Jay," he said before I could leave.
I turned.
He held out a small bouquet. Not dramatic. Just simple flowers.
"Before you say no," he added calmly, "they're not an apology. Or a promise."
I raised an eyebrow. "Then what are they?"
"A good-morning."
I stared at the flowers.
I should've refused.
Instead, I sighed—and took them.
"You're annoying," I muttered.
His smile widened. "You keep saying that."
Jay POV — Later
The flowers sat on my kitchen counter while I worked.
I kept glancing at them.
Annoyed.
Fond.
Distracted.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Keifer: Did the flowers survive?
I stared at the screen.
Typed.
Deleted.
Typed again.
Jay: Barely.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Keifer: Progress.
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
Keifer POV
She replied.
That was all I needed.
I didn't text much. Didn't push.
Just checked in.
Did you eat?
Long day?
I passed a place you'd like.
Small things.
Thoughtful things.
Not pressure.
And she answered.
Not instantly.
But she did.
Jay POV — Days Later
It became routine without me realizing it.
A coffee left at my door.
A book he remembered I liked.
A message when it rained.
I pretended not to notice how often I waited for his texts.
Or how easily I smiled when they came.
One evening, I caught myself saving his name with a heart.
I stared at the screen for a long time.
I'm letting him back in.
More than I wanted.
More than I planned.
And when my mom texted again about a "nice man" she wanted me to meet, I didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I typed—
Jay: What are you doing tonight?
The reply came almost instantly.
Keifer: Whatever you're about to suggest.
I closed my eyes.
Smiled.