Chapter 5:

~Jane~

This was my final class before lunch—and with every passing second, something inside me tightened.

My heart beat faster inside my chest—too fast, too sharp, like nothing in me would settle.

It wasn’t even a thought anymore.

It was instinct.

The morning had dragged in a way that didn’t feel natural—like time itself was stretching just to keep me from him, leaving a quiet ache I couldn’t shake.

I wanted to be close enough to feel him again—close enough that everything inside me would finally settle.

I glanced at the clock on the wall behind the teacher’s desk.

Only a few minutes left.

My fingers tightened slightly around my pencil as I forced myself to look back down at my work, trying to focus… trying to act normal.

But it was no use.

Every thought circled back to him—

not in pieces, but all at once.

My breathing slowly deepened, but it did nothing to calm the restless energy building inside me.

It was getting harder to ignore.

And then—

The bell rang.

The sound snapped through the room, sharp and final.

But instead of relief…

It felt like something inside me broke loose.

Before I could even think, I was moving—standing, grabbing my things, heading for the door.

No… not heading.

Not a choice—

a direction I couldn’t resist.

I barely registered the other students around me as I moved past them, my steps quick, purposeful, almost urgent.

I didn’t check for Jay.

Didn’t look for Riley.

I didn’t think about anything else at all.

The closer I got to the front doors, the stronger it became.

Whatever was happening inside me slipped out of rhythm—impossible to follow, impossible to control.

And then—

The doors.

I pushed through them without hesitation.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool air hit my skin—

And I felt him. Instantly.

It wasn’t just awareness—

my pulse stuttered, like a spark catching fire beneath my skin.

The air stalled in my lungs before I could steady it.

My eyes lifted—

And there he was.

Standing near his car.

Watching me.

Those blue eyes locked onto mine like he had been waiting to be with me again.

Everything around me blurred—but he didn’t.

Without realizing it, I started moving again, my steps slower now, drawn rather than rushed.

Each step closing the distance.

Each second tightening that invisible thread between us.

He didn’t move.

Not at first.

Like he couldn’t.

Like he was just as caught in it as I was.

And the moment I reached him—

He broke.

Whatever this was between us…

it had already decided.

His hands were on me instantly, wrapping around my waist as he pulled me against him in one smooth motion, leaving no space between us.

Whatever was holding him back—was gone.

A soft breath left me as my hands came up to his chest, feeling it immediately—

His heartbeat.

Fast—just like mine.

I inhaled deeply, and his scent surrounded me completely, wrapping around my senses, pulling me under in the most familiar, overwhelming way.

And just like that—

Everything inside me gave in.

I melted against him, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart beneath my ear.

Centered me.

Completed something I didn’t even realize had been unraveling—like I had stepped back into something that was always mine.

For a moment…

Nothing else existed.

Not the school.

Not the world beyond him.

And the bond that refused to be ignored.

“I’ve missed you, Nathan,” I breathed, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

“I’ve missed you too, Jane,” he answered softly.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then I lifted my head, meeting his gaze.

And there it was.

That same longing—raw, unhidden—stared back at me.

For a second—just a second—something in his expression shifted.

Gone too fast to hold onto.

But I felt it.

It reflected everything I was feeling… like he had been standing in that same ache all day, just like me.

My breath caught slightly as I searched his eyes, taking in the way they softened when he looked at me—like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment.

Like I was all that mattered.

Whatever sat in his eyes… it was enough.

His hand tightened slightly at my waist as he leaned in, closing the small distance between us.

His breath brushed mine—close enough to feel, not close enough to take.

Like he was waiting.

Or holding back.

Then our lips met.

Soft.

Unhurried.

But filled with everything we hadn’t been able to say.

The hours apart.

The quiet, constant need that only ever settled when we were like this.

Together.

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t desperate.

It felt deeper—like coming back to where I belonged.

My fingers curled slightly against his shirt as I leaned into him, feeling that familiar warmth spread through me, steady and consuming all at once.

For a moment, I forgot where we were.

Forgot everything outside of this.

There was nothing separating us anymore.

Not distance. Not time. Just him.

Then slowly… reluctantly… he pulled back.

The loss of his lips sent a soft breath from mine as our foreheads nearly touched again, both of us trying to steady our breathing.

In sync.

Like always.

His eyes lingered on mine for a second longer before he exhaled quietly.

“We should go get some lunch,” he said, his voice low, roughened just slightly.

I nodded, still a little breathless, not trusting myself to speak just yet.

Neither of us moved right away.

Like we were both holding onto that last second.

Then, gently, he let me go.

His hand slipped into mine instead, grounding, familiar, as he guided me toward the passenger side of the car.

He opened the door for me, never letting go completely, his touch lingering as I slid into the seat.

Once I was settled, he closed the door softly before walking around the front.

I watched him the whole way.

Something about the way he moved… steady, controlled… like he was holding more inside than he let me see.

A quiet thought flickered—but before I could catch it, it slipped away.

He climbed into the driver’s seat, starting the car as the engine hummed to life.

After fastening our seatbelts, he pulled out of the parking lot.

And just like that—

We were moving again.

Together.

I stared out the window, watching the world blur past in streaks of color and movement.

Neither of us spoke.

But the silence between us wasn’t empty.

It never was.

It hummed.

Soft. Charged. Alive with everything between us.

With my head still turned toward the glass, I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself sink into it—into everything he made me feel.

The heat of it.

It drew me in without asking.

A steady fire… that never seemed to fade… only growing stronger the closer I was to him.

Being close to him didn’t feel like wanting.

It felt like returning.

Like something in me had always known where I belonged.

It wrapped around me, settled deep beneath my skin, impossible to ignore.

And impossible to understand.

A small crease formed between my brows as my thoughts drifted.

What was this?

Every time I felt like I was getting closer to an answer—like I was starting to understand what this connection meant—

It slipped away.

Or worse…

That voice would come back.

Cold. Quiet. Persistent.

Telling me not to believe in it.

Telling me it wouldn’t last.

That whatever this was between us… it wasn’t real.

A quiet pressure built in my chest.

I hated that voice.

Hated how it crept in when I least wanted it to, twisting something beautiful into something uncertain.

I wanted to believe in this.

In him.

To believe that he was the one I had been waiting for all along.

That this pull… this connection… meant something more.

That it meant mate.

It shouldn’t feel like this…

like he wasn’t just someone I wanted—

but someone I belonged to.

But the moment that hope started to take shape—

Fear followed.

Every time.

A soft breath slipped from my lips as I opened my eyes again, my gaze still lingering out the window.

And then—

Warmth.

His hand.

Fingers slipping into mine, steady and familiar, while his other remained on the wheel.

The contact was immediate.

Grounding.

Like he felt it too.

Like he knew.

My eyes shifted toward him.

He didn’t look at me.

His focus stayed on the road ahead… calm, controlled.

There was a hesitation in him I couldn’t place.

Subtle.

Barely there.

But I noticed it.

The set of his jaw.

The slight tension in his grip.

And then his eyes—

I couldn’t see them fully, but I caught enough to recognize it.

That same look.

The one from this morning.

Part of him stayed just out of reach.

And somehow… I felt like I wasn’t supposed to notice that.

His grip tightened—like he was still hiding something.

Something in me sharpened.

Whatever it was… it hadn’t gone away.

Still weighing on him.

Like he wanted to say something—

But chose not to.

Before I could think too much into it, the car began to slow, the motion shifting as he turned into a parking lot.

It didn’t take long for Nathan to pull into an empty parking spot close to the entrance.

As the car came to a stop and he shifted it into park, his hand was still wrapped around mine, warm and steady.

I glanced out the window, taking in where he had brought us.

This wasn’t one of our usual fast-food stops.

There had been a few times he’d taken me somewhere nicer, but this place felt… different.

Smaller.

More personal.

A quiet little restaurant sat in front of us, its warm-toned walls kissed by sunlight. Strings of soft lights were draped along the edge of the roof, still faintly glowing even in the daylight. Outside, a few tables were set beneath wide umbrellas, their colors bright and inviting. Potted plants lined the entrance—greens and soft bursts of color that made the whole place feel alive.

It felt… welcoming.

Comforting.

Perfect.

A soft smile formed on my lips as I turned back toward Nathan.

He was already looking at me.

Like he had been waiting for my reaction.

“Ready?” he asked, a hint of something lighter—happier—in his eyes.

I could see it.

He wanted this to feel special.

And somehow… that made it even more so.

I nodded, my smile lingering.

Slowly, he let go of my hand, unfastening his seatbelt before stepping out of the car. The moment his door shut, he was already moving—coming around the front toward me without hesitation.

When he reached my side, he opened the door and held out his hand.

I didn’t even think.

Like second nature, I placed my hand in his.

He helped me out gently, his touch lingering just a second longer before he closed the door behind me. With a soft click, the car locked.

For a brief moment, we stood there.

Just us.

Until the sound of another car door pulled us back.

Jay.

He stepped out, giving a small, knowing nod toward Nathan.

Nathan returned it just as quietly.

And then, with my hand still in his, we made our way toward the entrance.

The moment we stepped inside, I was surrounded.

The scent of warm spices, grilled food, and something rich and savory instantly filled the air.

Mexican food.

One of my favorites.

A soft melody played overhead, blending with the low hum of conversation around us. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a gentle glow across the room. The space might have been small, but it was full—full of color, of culture. Hand-painted designs lined the walls, woven fabrics draped in places, and framed artwork added life to every corner.

It felt warm.

Lived in.

Loved.

“I really like this,” I murmured softly, almost to myself.

“Hello, welcome! Table for three?” a woman greeted as we approached the front.

Her smile was bright and genuine as her gaze moved between the three of us.

“I’d like a table for the two of us,” Nathan said politely, “and one nearby for our friend.”

“Of course,” she replied with a nod, grabbing a couple of menus. “Right this way.”

We followed her through the restaurant, weaving between tables until she stopped at a quieter spot tucked slightly off to the side.

She placed two menus down neatly.

“Here you go.”

Nathan guided me to my seat, pulling the chair out for me with one hand. I sat, my fingers brushing lightly against his as he let go.

The chair was still warm from the sun as I sat down…

Then he moved around and took his seat across from me.

Our eyes met instantly.

And just like that—

That familiar shift settled between us again.

The world softened around the edges, the noise fading as we slipped into that quiet space that always seemed to form between us.

Like it was just ours.

But just as quickly as it came—

It faded.

Reality settling back in.

“Your waiter will be with you shortly,” the woman said with a warm smile before stepping away.

Jay took his seat at a nearby table, close enough to watch, but far enough to give us space.

Alone.

Finally.

After a moment, we both looked down at our menus, though my focus didn’t last long.

It rarely did when he was this close.

Still, I managed to choose something, and not long after, Nathan did the same.

A young waiter approached the table.

“Hi, my name is Mike. I’ll be taking care of you today,” he said politely. “If you’re ready, I can take your order.”

“Yes, we’re ready,” Nathan replied.

“Great. What can I get for you?”

We gave our orders, and after a quick nod, he stepped away, stopping briefly at Jay’s table before heading toward the kitchen.

And just like that—

It was quiet again.

Just the two of us.

Sitting across from each other.

With something unspoken lingering between us… once more.

For a moment, we didn’t speak.

We didn’t need to.

Our eyes remained locked, and that was the thing about us… words had never been necessary. Not when we had this—this connection, this pull that spoke louder than anything we could ever say out loud.

It was enough.

More than enough.

His hand slipped into mine—steady, anchoring, impossible to ignore.

And everything inside me fell into place.

But then…

Something flickered—subtle, but there.

So slight most wouldn’t notice it.

But I did.

The look in his eyes changed.

And there it was again.

That same guarded flicker.

That same feeling—

Like he was holding something back from me.

And somehow… I knew it wasn’t small.