CHAPTER FIVE

“It’s good to be back,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “I hope I didn’t miss much.”

Jake grinned, his eyes twinkling. “You didn’t,” he said, adjusting his backpack on one shoulder as we walked down the quiet hallway. “Though I’ll admit, campus was a little boring without you around.”

I laughed, surprised by the way his tone made something warm unfurl in my chest. We’d only met a few weeks ago, and it had been brief, but somehow our conversations flowed effortlessly.

We slowed when we reached my dorm room. I looked up at him, unable to stop myself from admiring what I saw. He tilted his head slightly.

“Hey, I’ve got this thing with my friends this weekend,” he said. “It’s gonna be nice. Music, food, maybe a bonfire if the weather behaves. Do you mind coming along?”

I blinked. “A thing with your friends?” My mind scrambled for context. Was it a party? A date? Some kind of group hangout where I’d feel out of place?

Jake chuckled, sensing my hesitation. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing wild, just people I care about. They’d like you.”

I smiled faintly, trying not to show how much his words affected me. They’d like you. It was an oddly intimate thing to say, considering we weren’t exactly dating.

“Can I think about it?” I asked. “We can exchange contacts, and when I decide, I’ll send you a message.”

His grin widened as he handed me his phone. “Sure. That’s fine. I’ll look forward to getting that message.”

Our fingers brushed as I typed my number into his phone, and goosebumps spread across my skin. I knew he felt it too, he cleared his throat and avoided eye contact as he said goodbye.

I smiled and went inside. By Friday, the invitation was all I could think about, and I was done pretending I didn’t want to go. I typed a quick message and sent it to the number he’d given me.

I’ll come.

It was simple, but it held so much promise.

My phone pinged almost immediately.

Perfect. I’ll pick you up by 6. Oh, and by the way, I promise you won’t regret this. Thank you 🫶

The night I was supposed to go out with him came sooner than I expected, and I still hadn’t decided what to wear.

“Gosh, Felicia, can you just pick something already? This is annoying at this point,” Annabel groaned.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered.

Then my eyes landed on a cream sweater tucked into dark jeans. I squealed and ran for it. Once dressed, I admired myself in the mirror. I’d always known I had the looks, so I wasn’t surprised by what I saw.

Jake arrived right on time, leaning against his car like he’d stepped out of a coming-of-age movie. A gray hoodie, a crooked smile, and that easy confidence I was beginning to like far too much.

“Wow,” he said, his eyes roaming over me appreciatively. “You clean up nice.”

I laughed. “I didn’t know this was formal.”

“It’s not,” he said, opening the passenger door for me. “But now I kinda wish it was.”

The drive was filled with easy laughter and effortless conversation. He told me about his friends—how one was obsessed with grilling everything in sight, how another always brought her guitar. The warmth and loyalty in his voice made me want to know them too.

By the time we arrived, the sun had dipped low, painting the sky in streaks of gold and violet. The “thing” turned out to be a cozy backyard gathering, string lights draped between trees, laughter bubbling from a circle of people around a fire pit.

“Guys, this is who I told you about,” Jake announced.

The group immediately oohed, teasing smiles and raised eyebrows everywhere.

“So this is the mystery girl!” a tall brunette in an oversized flannel said. “He’s been talking about you all week.”

I shot Jake a look, but he just shrugged, grinning. “They exaggerate.”

“Sure we do,” another guy chimed in. “We’ve seen the way you check your phone every five minutes.”

My cheeks warmed, but there was something sweet about it too. These people clearly adored him—and somehow, they welcomed me as one of their own.

We ate, laughed, and danced when someone put on music. Jake pulled me to my feet despite my protests, holding me by the waist just enough to make my pulse race.

“Relax,” he murmured, eyes glinting with mischief. “It’s not about the steps. It’s about the feeling.”

I tried to roll my eyes, but his words sank deeper than I expected. There was something about him that made the world feel safer. When the music slowed, his hand lingered on my back a second too long, and neither of us moved away.

Later, we sat by the fire as the night deepened. His arm brushed mine once, then again, and each touch made my heart stutter. He kept glancing at me when he thought I wasn’t looking, a half-smile tugging at his lips.

When I finally checked the time, it was past midnight. “I should probably head back,” I said reluctantly.

Jake stood immediately. “I’ll take you.”

The drive back was quiet. My hand brushed his on the gearshift, and neither of us pulled away.

When he parked in front of my dorm, I turned to thank him, but the words caught in my throat. He was already looking at me, his expression unreadable.

“Did you have fun?” he asked softly, his fingers brushing my cheek.

I nodded. “Yeah. More than I expected.”

“Good,” he murmured. “I’m glad you came.”

We sat there a moment too long, the air charged.

“I should….” I began, fumbling for the door handle, but before I could finish, he moved.

Jake stepped out first and opened my door like the gentleman he was. I climbed out, suddenly aware of how close he stood, his warmth cutting through the cool night air.

“Thanks again,” I said quietly.

He didn’t move away. His gaze flicked from my eyes to my mouth and back again. “You always say thank you.”

“That’s… what polite people do,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the tremor in my voice.

“Maybe,” he said softly. “But sometimes you don’t need to.”

I swallowed. “And what should I do instead?”

Jake stepped closer. “This.”

His hand cupped my face, thumb brushing my jaw. His eyes searched mine, waiting for permission, for resistance, for a no. I gave him none.

The first brush of his lips was tentative. When I responded, everything shifted. The kiss deepened, his other hand sliding around my waist, pulling me closer until I felt the steady beat of his heart against mine.

Everything else faded away. It was just us—his breath, his hands, the faint sweetness on his lips.

When he finally pulled back, I was breathless, dazed, and completely undone. He rested his forehead against mine, smiling softly.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since the day I met you.”

I laughed shakily. “You should’ve said something.”

He chuckled. “Would you have believed me?”

I looked up at him, the night spinning gently around us. “Maybe.”

His thumb brushed my cheek again. “Then I guess I’ll just have to prove it.”

“Good night, Felicia,” he murmured, kissing my forehead.

He watched until I got inside, my legs still wobbling.