“What happened?” he asks, his voice softer now, filled with concern as his hands gently cradle her face. His thumb wipes away the remnants of her tears, his eyes scanning hers, trying to understand the pain that’s settled in her expression.
Ali can’t hold back anymore. She lets out a shaky breath, her chest tight as she tries to pull herself together, but the tears start again. She doesn’t want to cry in front of him— not like this— but it’s impossible to stop.
“I—” She falters, her voice breaking. “I thought... I thought you were done with me. I thought I scared you away.”
Dylan’s face softens, a deep sadness in his eyes. His hands move to her back, rubbing soothing circles as he pulls her in closer.
“Hey,” he murmurs gently, pressing his forehead to hers. “No, you didn’t scare me away. I’m sorry for making you feel like you had to carry all this by yourself. I... I should’ve texted you. I shouldn’t have left you hanging.”
He cups her face in both hands now, looking at her like she’s the only thing in the world that matters. “I’m not going anywhere, Ali. I never was. I’m sorry for making you doubt that. I just... needed to see you. To be here.”
Ali’s breath catches in her throat, his words soothing the sharp edges of her anxiety, but the weight of it all is still there. She leans into him, seeking comfort in his embrace.How did he know? How did he always know when she was on the edge?
“Dylan,” she whispers, her voice still fragile. “I thought I’d... said too much. I told you things I haven’t even told myself.”
Dylan’s eyes soften, and he presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You’ve never said too much to me, Ali. You’ve always been enough, always. I just... I didn’t know how to fix things until now.”
Dylan holds her close, his hands gently stroking her back as they sit in the quiet of the room. The only sound is the soft rhythm of their breathing, steadying as the tension between them begins to ease.
He takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Ali. I swear. I just… I didn’t know how to do this without screwing it up. I was trying to surprise you.”
Ali shifts slightly in his lap, her face still buried against his chest as she listens to him. Her hands, which had been clenched in the fabric of his shirt, slowly relax. His words, as simple as they are, are exactly what she needs to hear.
“I—” Dylan pauses, letting the words sink in. “I had this whole plan, you know? I talked to Ashley this morning. She helped me figure it out. I was so wound up about getting everything right, I didn't know how to tell you I was coming.”
Ali lifts her head slightly, meeting his eyes, still unsure but listening intently. Dylan’s gaze softens as he continues.
“I thought about calling you, but... I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. I was so damn nervous. I literally planned this at 3am. I’m used to being all in control, but with you… it feels different. I wanted to get it right.”
He shifts slightly, the words coming easier now, like a weight lifting from his chest. “So, I was outside at the grill, trying to get things ready for dinner. I thought you’d be home soon, but you were already in the shower before I even realized you’d come in.”
Ali’s brows furrow in confusion, her lips parting as she listens. Dylan chuckles softly, the sound warm but a little nervous.
“I called you, trying to tease you, to get your attention,” he admits, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “But when you didn’t pick up, I… I came looking for you, I didn’t expect to find you here, looking like... well, like you were just having the worst time.”
His voice softens, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “I never meant to hurt your feelings, Ali. Never. I was just so wound up about everything going perfectly that I lost track of what really matters.”
Ali’s heart clenches as she listens to him. The way he explains himself— honest, sincere— finally makes sense. Her stomach knots with relief, but she still feels the sting of the earlier silence.
“I should’ve been more open with you,” Dylan says, his voice low and apologetic. “I wasn’t trying to ghost you. I swear, that wasn’t it.”
Ali sits up a little more, her fingers curling around his shirt. “You don’t have to explain, Dylan. I… I get it now. I just—” she hesitates, swallowing hard. “I thought I messed things up. I thought maybe you didn’t want me anymore.”
Dylan’s expression softens further, and he shakes his head quickly. “No. Never that. I’ve always wanted you, Ali. You’re it for me. I just… got ahead of myself”
Ali gazes at him, the rawness of his words making her chest tighten. “I just want this to be real, you know?” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
“It is real, Ali,” Dylan replies, his voice steady. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. But I’m sorry for making you doubt that.”
He pulls her back into his arms, the moment feeling like the calm after the storm. Ali sighs, resting her head against his chest once more, feeling the weight of everything ease as Dylan continues to hold her, offering the reassurance she’s been longing for.
Ali pulls away from Dylan’s chest slowly, feeling the cool air of the room hit her flushed skin. Her heart beats in her throat, anticipation building as she looks into his eyes. There’s something different now— something raw, a deep longing that neither of them can hide.
The moment feels surreal, but it's also right. The way his gaze never leaves her, the warmth of his touch, the way his breath hitches the second she shifts in his lap. She straddles him gently, her thighs pressing against him, and for the first time tonight, she feels fullypresent.
Ali pulls the towel wrap off her hair, letting the strands fall free, and watches Dylan’s eyes darken at the movement. She can feel the heat radiating between them, the tension pulling tighter with every second.
Slowly, she shifts again. The shift in dynamic makes her pulse race faster. She leans forward just enough to press her lips softly to his, barely a touch, testing the waters.
