“Better than expected,” Bennett agreed. “The rivalry thing. I don’t think we need to keep performing that.”
Jasper’s eyebrows lifted. “Performing?”
“We were rivals,” Bennett said. “Real ones. I actively tried to tank your projects because I thought they were reckless. You made me look like a robot in front of clients.”
Jasper’s eyebrows rose. “You’re admitting that?”
“I’m saying it wasn’t productive,” Bennett replied. “We were both good at what we do. I was just too rigid to see that your approach had value. And too threatened to admit it.”
Jasper smiled. “That’s growth.”
“Don’t make it weird,” Bennett replied, but there was warmth in it.
But Bennett felt the weight of it. The simplicity of answering honestly. The lack of deflection.
Later, as they walked back to their respective offices, Jasper said quietly, “That was good.”
Bennett nodded. “It was easy.”
“It should be,” Jasper replied.
The simplicity of it felt like another choice.
They endedup back at Jasper’s place. Not planned. Not unplanned either. Just the natural continuation of the day.
They didn’t rush. Jackets came off. Shoes were kicked aside. Bennett wandered the space as if taking inventory, cataloguing something new.
“You do this a lot,” Jasper said.
“Do what?”
“Looks like you are committing something to memory.”
Bennett glanced at him. “I like to know where I am.”
Jasper stepped closer. “And where are you?”
Bennett considered him. Really considered him.
“Here,” he said.
The kiss that followed was easy. Familiar now. No sharp edge of uncertainty. Just warmth and intention.
Later,when they lay tangled together, skin cooling in the quiet room, Jasper traced idle patterns along Bennett’s arm. Their legs were still intertwined, Bennett’s head resting on Jasper’s chest, listening to his heartbeat slow. Jasper’s other hand ran through Bennett’s hair, gentle and possessive at once.
“You okay?” Jasper asked.
“Yes,” Bennett replied. He sounded certain. “I’m more than okay.”
Jasper smiled into his shoulder. “Good.”
Bennett shifted, propping himself up on one elbow. “I am not suddenly a different person.”
“I would be worried if you were,” Jasper said.
“But,” Bennett continued, “I am not who I thought I was either.”
Jasper met his gaze. “Most people aren’t.”
