Rex, sensing the shift in mood, nuzzled Eden’s hand, prompting her to give him a gentle pat. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Rex?”
Steve reached out, his fingers brushing hers as they both stroked Rex. The touch was brief but charged with an undeniable spark. Eden’s breath caught, and she looked up to find Steve’s gaze fixed on her, his green eyes intense.
“Do you ever think about what you really want, Eden? Beyond the baby showers and volunteering?”
Eden took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question. “Sometimes. But I try not to dwell on it too much. The future feels... uncertain.”
Steve’s hand lingered near hers, his fingers grazing her skin. “I get that. But maybe it’s okay to hope for good things, even if we don’t have everything figured out.”
Eden nodded, her heart pounding. “I haven’t made any plans for a while, and I’m happy.”
The air between them crackled with anticipation. Steve leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Eden, I don’t want to scare you off. But I feel like there’s something here. Something worth exploring.”
Eden’s heart fluttered. “I feel it too.”
The room fell into a charged silence. Steve’s hand moved to cup her cheek gently, his thumb brushing her skin. “Can I kiss you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Eden’s eyes fluttered closed as she nodded. “Yes.”
He closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a tender, passionate kiss.
The world around Eden seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of their connection. When they finally pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling.
“That was... amazing,” Eden whispered.
Steve smiled, his eyes shining with emotion. “I thought so, too.”
A rush of happiness made her smile. “So, what’s next?”
Steve chuckled softly. “How about another round of Go Fish?”
She laughed, the tension easing into a comfortable warmth. “Okay. Can we start again?”
Steve groaned. “You kiss me senseless, then want to end my winning hand.”
Eden showed him her pile of cards. “There’s no way I would have won. You can count that as a point to you.”
“How many games do I have to win to take you out to dinner?”
Her eyes widened. “Like on a date?”
“Well,” Steve said half-seriously. “It’s technically our second date if you count the burgers we had from the food truck.”
Eden pushed aside her worries about being more than Steve’s friend. They’d both been through a lot, but they were adults. As long as they were open about their feelings and made sure they supported each other, nothing would go wrong.
She wiggled closer to Steve. His sharp, indrawn breath was all the encouragement she needed. “In that case, you can either win one more game or kiss me to take me out to dinner.”
Steve smiled. “What will I do with you?”
“I vote for the second option,” Eden teased. And before Steve could reply, she captured his lips in a soft, lingering kiss. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, a sweet blend of promise and passion that made her heart race.
When they finally pulled apart, Steve’s smile was wide and genuine. “I guess we’re going on another date.”
Eden laughed. “I guess we are.”
Steve took her hand, intertwining their fingers. “There’s a new restaurant in town that’s just opened. I’ve heard great things about it.”
Her heart pounded with anticipation. “I’d love to go.”
