Her eyes lifted. “It’s not your fault.”
“I still hate that it happened. She shouldn’t have come over.”
Ali nodded but didn’t speak.
Dylan leaned over the console. “She’s leaving today. Headed back to Atlanta. With Laila and their kids.”
That seemed to land. Her shoulders dropped half an inch.
“I wouldn’t have brought you there if I thought she’d show up,” he added. “I meant what I said. You come first.”
Ali looked at him then, eyes big and glassy, like she was trying to believe him.
He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then rested his palm lightly on her cheek. “Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m proud of you,” he said softly. “I know this morning sucked, but you handled it the best you could.”
Ali blinked fast. “You always say the right things.”
“Only when it’s true.”
She gave him a wobbly smile, then reached for the door handle.
“Wait,” he said, voice low.
She turned, confused, just as he leaned in and kissed her.
Not a polite goodbye peck. Not a quick, closed-mouth thing.
A long, slow, lips-parting, breath-stealing kiss.
The kind that made time slow down.
The kind that made her melt toward him, hand bracing against his chest, lips soft and sweet under his.
The kind that said you’re mine, without rushing her for more.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was rough.
“Text me when you’re done today. I’ll be back soon. I promise.”
She nodded, dazed. “Okay.”
He grinned. “And drink your coffee, Al. It’s the antidote to your little weird vibe you have going on,” he teased her.
She laughed a little, rolling her eyes. “There’s no weird vibe. And I forgot to grab a straw,” she finished, rolling her eyes.
“No problem, babe.” He leaned across the car and grabbed a straw from the glove compartment, “I got you.”
He watched her walk up the steps in her little dress and headband, confident again, like maybe the kiss helped her remember who she was.
Two meetings, three spreadsheets, one very weird office birthday cake. Survived.
You?
Stopped by my parents this morning to see my family before leaving town.
