The night stayed with me longer than I expected.
Not the dinner.
Not even Kelly.
Him.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying small moments I hadn't even realized I'd noticed at the time.
The way he looked at me.
The way his voice softened when he spoke.
The way everything felt… easy when I was with him.
My phone buzzed.
I didn't need to check.
I already knew.
Did you get home safe? Jules asked.
A small smile formed on my lips.
Yes. You?,I asked.
His reply came almost immediately.
Of course. I wouldn't leave before knowing you were okay.
I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary.
Something about it felt… warm.
We should meet tomorrow, he sent again.
We need to start finalizing things.
We should, I replied.
After a pause, another message came in.
And… I just want to see you again.
My heart skipped.
I locked my phone quickly, pressing it lightly against my chest.
"This is bad," I whispered.
But I was smiling.
I stood up, went to shower, and got ready for bed...
everything I did with a smile still plastered on my face.
The next day….....
I woke up with that same smile.
I replayed everything that had happened yesterday...from morning until night… including Kelly's behavior.
Then I shook my head.
She was my sister.
There was no need to feel that way, I told myself.
She wouldn't do anything to hurt me.
I didn't think about it again.
Whatever felt strange the night before…
I let it go.
Some things didn't need overthinking.
Especially not when everything else felt right.
My phone buzzed again.
I picked it up.
I smiled immediately.
Good morning, Kimmie, Jules said.
A smile spread across my face before I could stop it.
Good morning.
I stretched slightly, staring at the screen.
Another message came in.
Did you sleep well?
Better than usual, I replied.
There was a short pause.
Then....
I can't wait to see you today.
Me too, I replied.
Alright then, he sent. I'll give you time to get ready.
I dropped my phone and went to my closet to pick out something to wear.
I brushed my teeth, took a shower, and got dressed.
After that, I went to the kitchen and made cereal.
I didn't eat much, so I finished quickly.
I picked up my bag, locked the door, and left.
When I got to the studio, he was already there.
"You're early again," I said.
"You're predictable," he replied calmly.
I frowned slightly.
"Excuse me?"
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"In a good way."
I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my lips lifted anyway.
We got to work quickly.
This time, it felt… right.
Like we had found a rhythm.
"The curve here," he said, leaning over my sketch, "make it sharper."
"It's not supposed to be sharp," I replied.
"It will stand out more."
"It will ruin the balance."
He paused… then nodded slightly.
"Fair."
I blinked.
"You're agreeing with me?"
"Don't get used to it," he said.
I laughed.
And just like that....
it felt easy again.
"Can I ask you something?" he said after a while.
I looked up.
"Depends."
"Why design?"
The question caught me off guard.
I looked down at my sketch.
"Because it's the only thing that ever felt like mine," I said quietly.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't rush me.
Just listened.
"Everything else in my life…" I continued, "was uncertain. But this? This is something I can control."
When I looked up, his gaze was on me.
Not casual.
Intent.
"That's why you're good," he said.
My chest tightened slightly.
My phone buzzed.
It was Kelly.
"Hey babe, where are you?"
"I'm with Jules. We're still working," I replied.
"Alright, no problem. I'm passing by a restaurant that just opened...I can get takeout for you guys."
"Okay, thanks babe."
"Just text me your location, I'm on my way."
I smiled slightly.
See? Everything was fine.
I was just overthinking things.
"Am I interrupting anything?" her voice came from the door.
"No," I replied.
She stepped in and placed the food on another table since ours was covered in sketches.
We joined her.
"Thanks, babe," I said as my stomach betrayed me with a low growl.
Jules and Kelly laughed.
"If you were hungry, why didn't you say anything?" Jules asked.
"You were too focused. I didn't want to interrupt your inspiration," I replied.
"You're actually really cute," he said.
"Alright, Kelly saves the day," she cut in lightly.
"Now eat, both of you."
"The fashion show is next week....you have a lot to do."
We ate, talked lightly, then returned to work.
Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, we had finalized everything about the design.
The rest....crafting the jewelry and choosing the gemstones....we agreed to finish the next day.
Finally, we stepped out of the studio together.
The evening air brushed softly against my skin as the sky dimmed into night.
"We made good progress today," I said, adjusting my bag.
"We did," Jules replied.
His tone was calm… but there was something else beneath it.
Something quieter.
I didn't question it.
"So… what happens next?" I asked.
"We refine," he said.
"Details matter more now."
I smiled.
"You really like saying that."
"Because it's true."
Kelly walked between us.
"You two sound like professionals already."
"We're trying to be," I replied.
"No," she said. "You are."
I laughed softly.
"Don't hype us too much."
"I'm serious," she insisted.
Then she nudged Jules lightly.
"Especially you. You've been quiet today."
He shrugged slightly.
"Just focused."
"Hmm," she hummed, studying him for a second… then smiling again like nothing happened.
We walked a little further before stopping at the roadside.
The streetlights flickered on one after the other, casting soft pools of light across the pavement.
"Are you heading home?" Jules asked me.
"Yeah," I replied.
He nodded.
"I'll drop you."
"You don't have to…"
"I want to," he said simply.
I paused… then nodded.
"Okay."
"What about me?" Kelly said suddenly, placing a hand dramatically on her chest.
I laughed.
"You'll survive."
"Wow," she said, shaking her head. "Abandoned just like that."
"You literally have a driver," I reminded her.
She sighed.
"That's not the point."
But she was smiling.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, waving lightly.
Then she turned and walked off, her heels clicking softly against the pavement.
I watched her go for a second before turning back.
Jules was already opening the car door for me.
I hesitated briefly… then got in.
The drive was quiet at first.
Not awkward.
Just… calm.
The kind of silence that didn't need to be filled.
"You were different today," he said suddenly.
I turned slightly.
"Different how?"
"More relaxed," he said.
I thought about it.
"Maybe," I admitted.
"That's good," he added.
"Why?"
He glanced at me briefly.
"Because I like you that way."
My breath caught slightly.
I looked out the window quickly, pretending to focus on the passing lights.
"You say things like that so easily," I said.
"Only when I mean them," he replied.
The rest of the drive felt… different after that.
Warmer.
Softer.
When we got to my place, he parked and turned off the engine.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
"We're getting closer," he said quietly.
I looked at him.
To making the design alive I asked
A small appeared on his lips
That too
My heart skipped.
I didn't know what to say.
So I didn't say anything.
"You should rest," he added after a moment.
"We have a lot to do."
I nodded.
"Goodnight, Jules."
"Goodnight… Kimmie."
I stepped out of the car and walked toward my door.
I didn't look back immediately.
But when I did…
He was still there.
Watching.
And for the first time in a long time…
I felt like
I wasn't alone anymore.