I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face.
I didn't know why, but Jules was on my mind.
And as if we were telepathically connected, his message came in.
Hey, angel.
Good morning.
I smiled as I replied.
Good morning, Jules.
I hit send, and in less than thirty seconds, his response came in.
I was thinking we should meet up today to discuss our designs for the collaboration. What do you think?
Are you asking me out on a date? I typed.
If you'd like to call it that, no problem, my lady, he replied.
I smiled as I read the message.
Alright… if you ask nicely, I'll consider it, I replied.
His text came in almost immediately.
Would you please do me the honour, my dear Kimmie, and go on a date with me?
I blushed as I read it.
Then I started typing.
I will, my dearest Jules.
His response came quickly.
Thank you for making me the happiest man. I'll make it worth your time.
I laughed softly at his cheesy response.
My pleasure. So where are we meeting? I asked.
I know a studio around. It's owned by a friend, so we can use it, he said.
Alright. See you soon, I replied.
I dropped my phone on the bed and started getting ready.
I picked out a dress, laid it neatly on the bed, and went to shower.
When I was done, I got dressed, picked up my bag, put my sketchbook and the things I needed inside, and left the house.
I planned to grab a donut on my way to the studio.
When I got to the shop, they had already sold out the first batch, and the second was still being prepared.
I didn't have time to wait, so I left for the studio.
When I arrived, I paused.
The studio was beautiful.
It wasn't what I expected.
It wasn't loud or crowded like the design rooms at school.
It was quiet… but alive.
Like it had its own soul and rhythm.
Warm lights hung from the ceiling, casting a soft golden glow across the space.
Not too bright, not too dim....just enough to make everything feel calm… yet strangely personal.
Large windows stretched along one wall, letting in strips of light that rested gently on the tables.
Sketches were pinned neatly across a board....some unfinished, some bold and loud, others messy in a way that felt intentional.
The air smelled faintly of metal, paper… and something sweet I couldn't quite place.
I walked in slowly, taking everything in.
"This is where you work?" I asked, my voice softer than usual.
Jules was leaning against one of the tables, watching me intently.
"Sometimes."
I turned to him, raising a brow.
"Sometimes?"
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"When I need time alone… especially when I need to think."
Something about that made my heart skip.
This wasn't just any studio.
It was his safe space.
I moved closer to the table he stood by. Pencils and blank sheets were scattered across it.
"So…" I said, trying to focus, even as his gaze lingered on me.
"We're really doing this collaboration."
"We are."
For a moment, silence settled between us.
But not the awkward kind.
It felt… peaceful.
Then he spoke.
"We're doing this collaboration after we eat."
He brought out a pack of donuts and milkshakes.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No," I replied.
"Then I can't have you working on an empty stomach. That would be bad of me."
He handed me two donuts and a milkshake.
"How did you know I'd like this?" I asked.
"Since you like mint chocolate chip ice cream, I figured you might like chocolate Oreo milkshake," he said.
"So you've been observing me?" I asked.
"Designer habit," he replied smoothly.
"Details matter."
I took a sip.
A small smile escaped before I could stop it.
"It's good," I said softly.
"I know," he replied.
I looked at him.
That confidence again.
I reached for the donut, breaking it in half. I took a bite.
"Careful," he murmured, watching me.
"It's sweet."
I raised a brow slightly.
"I can handle sweet."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"I wasn't talking about the donut."
My heart skipped.
I looked away quickly, focusing on the sketchbook in front of me—but my thoughts were no longer on design.
The studio felt quieter… warmer.
I took another slow bite, still aware of his gaze resting on me.
"Shouldn't we be working?" I asked, trying to hide the way my heart was racing.
"We are," he said.
I looked up.
He was still staring.
"Are we?" I raised a brow.
"How is this working?"
His eyes didn't leave mine.
"I'm studying my partner."
My breath caught.
Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach.
I looked down quickly, hiding the smile forming on my lips.
This was supposed to be about a collaboration…
But somehow...
it didn't feel that way anymore.