“I’m mad people made you feel like you had to hide,” he said, brushing his lips over her temple. “But I’m not mad at you. I’ll wait. I’ll protect this. And you.”
Ali closed her eyes, letting the promise settle deep in her chest. It wasn’t everything yet, but it was something real. Something steady.
She opened her eyes again and looked at him. “Just… don’t stop texting me dirty things in the meantime.”
He grinned, all dimples and heat. “I was planning on doubling down, actually.”
That made her laugh— soft, a little teary, but real. She leaned in, kissed him slow and grateful, and finally let herself breathe.
Afterglow
Dylan
The next morning, Dylan pulled into the Rise and Grind parking lot and glanced sideways at Ali, sitting prim and proper in the passenger seat. Hands twisting together and pulling at her hemline. She looked like sunshine in her sleeveless Lilly Pulitzer dress— pink and green floral print, the kind that made her blue eyes look even brighter. A white headband pushed her hair off her face, her soft golden curls tucked behindher ears, and she had on little pearl earrings that probably came from her mama’s jewelry box.
She was all buttoned-up Southern charm, but he knew what her mouth had done last night— and god, if that didn’t mess with his head a little.
He was undercover in a baseball cap, brim pulled low and a MBU hoodie. He would probably pass out from heat exhaustion in it, but he wanted Ali to get coffee with him before he left town.
“You sure you’re not gonna get coffee on your cute dress?” he teased, letting his hand brush her bare knee before she opened the door.
“I have Shout Wipes in my bag,” she said, then added with a smile, “and backup shoes in my desk. I’m not new at this.”
They stepped inside the café, the air cool and filled with the smell of espresso and baked goods. She tucked into his side just slightly, almost unconsciously, and he loved the quiet way she leaned into him in public— like maybe she wasn’t ready to hold his hand across town, but she wanted to let him know she was his.
They waited in line, and Dylan took the opportunity to poke at her nerves.
“You always this weird the morning after? That’s changed since college.”
Ali blinked up at him, startled. “I’m not being weird.”
“You’re being shy. It’s cute.”
“I have a meeting at nine,” she deflected, smoothing the front of her dress like it might suddenly wrinkle.
He leaned down and whispered, “You’re glowing.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Shut up.”
“You look like someone who had her mouth full last night.”
She gasped, eyes wide. “Dylan.”
He bit back a grin. “Just saying.”
She swatted his arm and finally laughed, her whole face softening. That sound always undid him.
They were next in line when the door opened behind them. The bell jingled, light and cheery, but his body stiffened before he even turned around.
Voices.
One in particular. His hand immediately went to her back. Protective instincts taking over.
“Well damn,” Daisy said sweetly behind them. “This is unexpected.”
