She glances back, brow raised, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What’s up?"
Her eyes lock onto mine in anticipation, and I fight to calm the shaky rhythm of my breath, aware of how easy it is to lose myself in her. “Let me drive you home. You shouldn’t be walking alone.”
I can see the doubt creeping into her honey eyes. “My place is just down the street…”
“Seriously, Alli,” I cut her off, a bit sharper than I meant. “It’s past midnight.”
Her expression shifts, a moment of surprise passing over her. “Oh. I mean… it’s not that far.”
I take a step closer, my voice dropping just enough to make sure she hears me. “I don’t mind. I’d rather make sure you get home safe.”
For a moment, she just stands there, looking at me. Suddenly, I’m scrambling. My confidence? Gone. Poof. What the hell is she thinking? Did I overstep? Push too hard? God, I’m starting to feel like a fish out of water.
Finally, she gives a small, almost reluctant nod. As she walks back toward the car, I can’t help but notice the way her movements are slower now, as if she’s savoring the last moments of the night. I follow her, the air between us charged with something unsaid, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is one of those moments that could change everything.
I drive Alli home in near silence, the hum of the engine and the occasional twinkle of streetlights outside the car windows the only sound. Yet, our glances are loud; each one we steal at each other seems to amplify the magnetic pull between us.
When I park the car, the silence that settles between us feels heavier than before—both of us caught up in our own thoughts.
“Do you want to come in for a bit?” Her voice sounds almost vulnerable, and a faint blush colors her cheeks, making my heart race a little faster.
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, sure.”
We walk up to her apartment, the hallway carrying our footsteps.
The living room is lit by a few lamps, projecting a faint glow that makes everything feel intimate. She kicks off her shoes and heads toward the couch, gesturing for me to join her. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get us some drinks.”
We settle on the couch. She tucks her legs under her and takes a sip of water, glancing at me before her eyes drift to the half-finished puzzle on the coffee table—a galaxy we started a few weeks back. A soft laugh slips out, breaking the quiet between us.
“You know, I can’t believe you left this half-done,” she says, gesturing toward the puzzle. “You were pretty set on finishing it last time.”
I chuckle, leaning back against the cushions. “I would’ve finished it if someone hadn’t kept arguing about the corner pieces.”
She huffs dramatically, crossing her arms. “Everything blended in! How does purple even mix with yellow?”
Her smile widens just a little, the kind that makes her eyes light up. It’s easy, comfortable—this playful back-and-forth we’ve settled into.
A beat of silence stretches out, and I shift slightly closer. “You ever get lost in these things?” I nod at the puzzle pieces scattered across the table. “Like… really lost?”
She pauses, biting her bottom lip before answering, her voice quieter this time. “Yeah. It’s… kind of the point, I guess.” She shrugs, but I can hear the heaviness behind her words. “Puzzles are a way for me to forget things for a little while.”
“Forget what?”
“I don’t know, life?”
“Well, that’s vague,” I tease, trying to keep it light. Still, I want to know her, understand what she’s not saying.
Alli shoves my shoulder casually. “Do you want me to spill my heart and soul to you?”
“Yes.” The word slips out before I can stop it, but I don’t regret it. The look on her face when she turns toward me, her brows slightly raised, tells me she wasn’t expecting that.
She blinks, the smile fading as her eyes lock onto mine, hinting at more than the usual sarcasm or teasing. Her guard’s still up, but I can feel it cracking, just a little.
The space between us shrinks as the silence wraps around us again.
“You really want to know?” She asks as she leans forward, her voice steady, sharper in a way that pulls my full attention.
“Yeah.” My answer is instant, because I do. More than I’ve ever realized.
