I stretch, roll over, and grab my phone anyway, thumbing it awake like maybe, just maybe, I missed something.
Still nothing.
But I open our chat anyway, staring at his message from last night.
‘Don’t thank me! I want to thank you. It meant a lot.’
Twelve words. Twelve words that have taken up every inch of space in my head since he sent them.
I bite my lip, debating. Maybe now is the right time. Maybe a morning message feels safer. Less pressure. Casual, even.
I type, ‘Me too. More than I expected.’
I stare at the words, my thumb hovering over the send button. My heart thuds against my ribs, wild and uncertain.
Then I think about his smile. The real one, not the careful, guarded one. The one he gave me when I teased him about always ordering the same pastry at the office cafe. When he laughed, it was like watching winter thaw into spring.
I really, really want to see that smile again.
I hit send.
The moment the message goes through, my pulse skyrockets. No taking it back now.
I toss the phone aside like it’s suddenly radioactive and scrub my hands over my face. Breathe. Breathe. Just let it be.
Minutes crawl by.
Nothing.
I get up, shuffle to the kitchen, start a pot of coffee even though my stomach is too knotted to think about food or caffeine. I distract myself with small tasks, watering the plants, unloading the dishwasher, checking emails that can wait until Monday.
But when my phone buzzes, I swear my heart stops.
I snatch it up so fast I nearly drop it.
His name is on the screen.
My breath catches as I open the message.
‘I’d like to see you again.’
That’s it. Simple. Direct. No emojis, no fluff. But my knees go a little weak anyway.
My chest tightens, this time in the best possible way. Heat blooms behind my ribs like sunlight breaking through clouds.
I want to say yes immediately. I want to screamyesfrom the rooftop. But I force myself to play it cool, just a little.
I type, ‘Me too. When are you free?’
A beat passes.
Then, ‘Tonight?’
My breath whooshes out like I’ve been holding it all morning.
I grin, wide and unstoppable.
Tonight.
