Hours turned into days, and days into weeks—before I knew it, an entire month was gone.
The prototype was finally ready.
This time, without issues.
Clean. Precise. Exactly what we had envisioned.
The gemstones had been selected, every detail carefully considered. Things had become serious....so serious that every tiny placement carried weight. Nothing could be overlooked.
For the first time, I could actually see the vision coming to life.
We had two weeks left until the show.
Most of the collection was complete. The only thing left… was my piece.
The necklace.
Jules was back to his usual self....light, composed, almost carefree. The stress that once clung to him had faded now that his pieces were done and locked away safely.
Mine wasn't.
And suddenly, I was starting to regret picking that card.
At first, I had been excited.
Now?
Now I was anxious.
Because if anything went wrong… it wouldn't just affect me. It could ruin everything.
The necklace was the statement piece.
It always was.
I just hoped nothing went wrong.
---
A knock pulled me out of my thoughts.
I stood up and walked to the door, opening it.....
Jules.
I blinked, caught off guard.
"Hey," I said, a little too quickly.
"Hey, angel," he replied easily. "How are you?"
"I'm… alright."
His gaze lingered on me for a second. "You look stressed."
"I am."
"It shows."
I let out a small breath.
"I think we should go out," he said. "Clear your head."
"I don't feel like it," I admitted.
"I know," he said gently. "But you need to. You'll work better if you're not carrying all this."
I hesitated.
"…Alright. Where?"
"A movie," he said. "Then ice cream after."
That pulled the faintest smile from me.
"That doesn't sound bad."
"Good," he said. "Go get ready."
---
I stepped into my room and opened my closet.
And immediately froze.
What do I wear?
This wasn't just another outing.
This felt different.
We had gone out before....but always because of work.
This?
This felt like something else.
I pulled out outfit after outfit, tossing them onto the bed in growing frustration.
Nothing felt right.
After a while, I dropped onto the bed, staring at the mess I had created.
"Kimmie."
His voice came from the living room.
"I'm almost ready!" I called back.
Silence.
Then, a few seconds later....
"Kimmie."
I winced.
"Just give me a minute!"
"You've said that three times already."
I ignored him and turned back to my closet.
"Kimmie," he called again, his tone lighter this time, "we're not going to a fashion show. Just wear something you're comfortable in."
I paused.
"You'll look good either way."
I rolled my eyes slightly....but I was smiling.
"Alright," I muttered.
Black jeans? Safe.
The dress? Risky.
Oversized sweater? Too casual.
I groaned softly, then pulled out a fitted top and held it against myself.
Better.
Much better.
---
From the living room, I heard the faint tapping of his phone.
"Are you picking an outfit or starting a fashion show in there?" he called.
"Be quiet!" I shot back.
I changed quickly...fitted top, high-waisted jeans, a light jacket.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Me.
I took a step back, studying myself in the mirror.
This works.
I adjusted my hair slightly.
Not perfect. Just enough.
A small flutter stirred in my chest.
I grabbed my bag.
"For real this time...I'm done."
I heard movement immediately.
"Finally," he said.
---
When I stepped into the living room, he looked up.
And paused.
Not dramatically.
Just… quietly.
"You look nice," he said.
Simple.
But it lingered.
"Let's go before I change my mind," I replied.
He laughed softly. "Too late. I've been waiting too long for this."
---
The drive was calm.
Soft music played in the background, low enough to barely notice. Every now and then, he tapped lightly against the steering wheel, like he was keeping rhythm.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah… just thinking."
"Dangerous," he teased.
I turned slightly. "You're the one driving."
He laughed under his breath.
---
The cinema was brighter than I expected.
People moved around us....voices overlapping, footsteps echoing.....but somehow, it felt distant.
"What are we watching again?" he asked.
"Romantic movie."
He glanced at me. "Of course."
"You don't like romance?"
"I didn't say that," he replied. "I just didn't expect my first movie date to involve tears."
"You're definitely crying."
"Not happening."
"We'll see."
---
At the counter, he paid before I could even reach for my bag.
"I can pay, you know."
"I know," he said, handing me my ticket. "But let me."
Not controlling.
Just… quiet insistence.
---
Inside the theatre, the lights dimmed.
We found our seats.
Our fingers brushed when he handed me the drink.
Just for a moment.
But neither of us ignored it.
---
The movie started.
I tried to focus.
I really did.
But I was suddenly aware of everything—
How close we were sitting.
The shared popcorn between us.
The way our hands kept meeting at the same time.
"We have to stop meeting like this," he murmured.
"Then time it better," I whispered.
"Or you should."
Neither of us moved right away.
His fingers shifted slightly.
Not touching.
Just… there.
Close enough.
---
Halfway through the movie, his arm rested along the back of my seat.
Not touching.
Just present.
Like a question.
I didn't move away.
After a while… I leaned, just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But enough.
His arm shifted closer.
And this time...
It stayed.
---
By the end of the movie, I couldn't even remember how it ended.
Only how it felt.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Easy.
---
When the lights came back on, I blinked.
"So… was it good?" he asked.
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I was distracted."
"By what?"
I met his eyes briefly, then looked away.
"Popcorn."
He laughed softly. "Right."
---
Outside, the night air felt cooler.
Neither of us spoke immediately.
There was a pause...
Not awkward.
Just… unfinished.
He looked at me.
I looked at him.
For a second, it felt like something might happen.
But instead, he just smiled.
"Ready?" he asked.
I nodded.
As we walked back to the car, our hands brushed again.
This time...
Neither of us pulled away.
And it left something lingering between us.
Something quiet.
Something that felt like the beginning of something neither of us had said out loud yet.