The sky above Gaesha's bakery roof was dark, with stars twinkling brightly over the city of Paris.
Gaesha and Kent sat side by side on a wooden bench in the rooftop garden, their sandwiches long gone and their juice bottles empty, lying forgotten beside them.
The little fountain in the corner bubbled quietly, its gentle sound mixing with the soft hum of the night.
The flowers around them, tucked into pots and planters, seemed to glow under the string of warm, golden lights that Kent had carefully hung earlier that evening.
Gaesha let out a long, happy sigh, her heart feeling full, like it might burst with joy.
"This is so perfect," Gaesha said, leaning her shoulder against Kent's arm, feeling the warmth of his jacket against her skin. "I mean it, Kent. Really, thank you for doing all this for me. It's just… amazing. I can't believe you set this all up."
"You're welcome," Kent replied, his voice soft but warm, like a cozy blanket on a chilly night.
He turned his head to look at her, his eyes catching the glow of the golden lights, making them sparkle just a little.
"Are you happy, Gaesha? Like, really, truly happy up here?" Kent asked.
"So happy," she said, nodding quickly, her ponytail bouncing a bit. "Like, happier than I've been in such a long time. Honestly, I can't stop smiling. What about you, Kent? Are you happy up here with me, sitting under all these stars?"
"Yes," Kent said simply, his voice steady, like he didn't need any extra words to mean it. "I'm happy when I'm with you. Always."
"Good," Gaesha said, her smile growing even wider, stretching across her face.
She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a little groan as she loosened her stiff muscles.
Then she stood up, brushing her hands on her jeans, the denim cool against her palms.
"So, what now? What's next for our big rooftop night? We can't just sit here all evening, right?" she asked.
Kent stood too, his tall frame moving smoothly, like he was used to carrying himself with quiet confidence.
"Let's dance," he said, his tone serious but with a tiny hint of playfulness, like he was testing the idea out loud.
Gaesha blinked, caught off guard, her eyes wide. "Dance? Like, right here? On the roof, just the two of us?"
"Yes," Kent said, nodding, his face calm but his eyes bright. "Why not? It's just us, Gaesha. No one's watching."
She laughed, putting her hands on her hips, her fingers tapping against her jeans.
"Kent, you don't dance! You told me that, like, a million times before. You said dancing wasn't your thing, remember? You said it made you feel all awkward!" Gaesha said.
"I'll try," he said, shrugging a little, his shoulders lifting slightly. "I want to try for you. I mean, it's you, so… I think I can do it."
"Kent!" Gaesha exclaimed, clapping her hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet night. "You're full of surprises tonight! I didn't know you had this in you! Like, dancing? Really? You're serious about this?"
"I guess I am," Kent said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, making him look softer, younger. "Do we need music for this? Or… how does it work?"
"Oh, definitely," Gaesha said, her voice bubbling with excitement.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, the screen lighting up her face.
"I've got this, don't worry. Let me find something good, something perfect for us," she said.
She scrolled through her music, her thumb moving quickly until she landed on a slow song—something old, sweet, and a little romantic, the kind her mom used to hum in the kitchen.
She hit play, and the soft, warm notes floated into the air, mixing with the fountain's gentle splashing.
"Okay, Kent. You ready for this? Like, really ready?" she asked.
"No," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck, his fingers brushing against his dark hair. "But… yes. Let's do it. I'm ready enough, I think."
Gaesha burst out laughing, stepping closer to him, her sneakers scuffing lightly on the roof's wooden boards.
"Come on, you're gonna be fine. Here, take my hands, okay?" She grabbed his hands, her fingers wrapping around his, warm and steady. "Just move with me, Kent. Like this. It's easy, I promise."
"Okay," Kent said, his voice a little unsure, like he was stepping into something new and strange.
He placed his hands on her waist, his touch light and careful, like he was afraid he might mess it up or hold her too tight.
"Loosen up a bit," Gaesha said, giggling as she started to sway, her body moving to the music's slow rhythm. "You're stiff as a robot right now, Kent! Relax a little, come on!"
"I'm trying," Kent said, his brow furrowing in concentration, his eyes focused like he was solving a puzzle.
He took a step, but it was awkward, like he wasn't sure where his feet should go next.
"You're moving too fast, Gaesha. Slow down a bit, maybe?" Kent said.
"No way," she said, shaking her head, her ponytail swinging. "It's slow, Kent. See? It's super easy. Just follow me, okay? Like this."
She swayed gently, pulling him along with her, her hands guiding his, keeping him close.
He tried again, his movements still a little clunky, his sneakers scuffing the wood.
"Is this right?" he asked, looking down at their feet, his eyebrows raised like he was waiting for her approval.
"Yes!" Gaesha said, her voice bright with encouragement, her smile wide. "You're getting it! Look at you go, Kent! You're dancing! I'm so proud of you!"
But then, in her excitement, she accidentally stepped right on his toe, her sneaker landing hard.
"Oops!" she said, bursting into giggles, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh no, I'm so sorry, Kent! Did I hurt you?"
"It's fine," he said, his face calm, though a tiny spark of amusement danced in his eyes. "It didn't hurt. Not really. I'm okay."
"Liar," Gaesha teased, nudging his arm with her elbow, her giggles still bubbling up. "I know I've got big, clumsy feet. You don't have to pretend it didn't sting a little!"
"I know," Kent said, his eyes softening, his voice warm. "And I like that about you, Gaesha. Clumsy feet and all."
"You do?" she asked, tilting her head, her eyes searching his face. "Even when I'm stomping all over your poor toes like that?"
"Yes," he said, his voice steady, like he meant every word. "I like all of you, Gaesha. Every single part."
She grinned, her cheeks warming, but then, as they moved again, she stepped on his foot even harder, her sneaker landing with a thud.
"Ow!" Kent said, wincing a little, though that spark of amusement in his eyes grew brighter.
"Oh my gosh, sorry!" Gaesha said, laughing so hard she had to stop moving for a second, her hands clutching her stomach. "I'm so bad at this! I'm, like, the worst dancer ever, Kent! Why are you even putting up with me?"
"No," Kent said, shaking his head, his voice gentle. "You're funny. It makes it better. I like it when you laugh like that."
"You're too nice," she said, still giggling, wiping a tiny tear from the corner of her eye. "Most guys would be yelling at me by now, like, 'Watch your big feet, Gaesha! You're killing me!'"
"Not me," Kent said, his voice firm but kind, his hands still resting lightly on her waist. "I don't mind. Let's keep dancing, okay? I'm not going anywhere."
"Okay, okay," Gaesha said, catching her breath, her laughter fading into a soft smile.
She started swaying again, this time slower, more careful, trying not to crush his toes again.
"Is this better? Am I doing it right now, Kent?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, his hands steady on her waist, his eyes locked on hers. "It's good. You're good, Gaesha. Really."
They moved together under the stars, the city of Paris sparkling below them like a sea of tiny lights.
Gaesha started humming along with the song, her voice soft and a little off-key, but she didn't care.
"This is so pretty, isn't it?" she said, glancing up at the sky, the stars winking down at them. "The stars, the lights, all of it. It's like a dream."
"Yes," Kent said, but his eyes weren't on the sky—they were on her, steady and warm. "And you're pretty too, Gaesha. The prettiest part of this night."
Gaesha felt her cheeks heat up, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
"Aw, Kent," she said, nudging him gently with her shoulder. "You're so sweet. Like, how do you even come up with stuff like that?"
"I'm honest," he said, his voice low, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm always honest with you. I say what I feel."
She smiled, her heart fluttering, but then—yep—she stepped on his toe again, her sneaker catching him off guard.
"Oops!" she said, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide. "I did it again! I'm so sorry, Kent! I'm hopeless!"
"Stop saying sorry," Kent said, his tone gentle but firm, his hands tightening slightly on her waist. "It's just you being you. I like it."
"Clumsy old me?" Gaesha asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice teasing. "With my giant feet that keep attacking you like this?"
"Yes," he said, his smile growing, soft and real. "Perfect you. Every bit of you."
"Perfect?" she said, laughing, her voice light and playful. "With these giant feet that keep trying to take you out? You're crazy, Kent!"
"Yes," Kent said, his voice steady, his eyes warm. "Every part of you is perfect to me. Even the toe-stepping."
Gaesha's heart did a little flip, her cheeks burning.
"You're too much, Kent," she said, shaking her head, her ponytail swaying. "Like, way too sweet. How do you even say stuff like that without getting all embarrassed?"
"I'm not too much," he said, his eyes locked on hers, his voice calm but sure. "I'm just enough. For you, Gaesha. Always."
They kept dancing, Gaesha tripping every now and then, Kent holding her steady, his hands warm and strong.
"I love this," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, like she was afraid to break the moment. "Just us, up here, being silly, laughing like this."
"I love it too," Kent said, his voice just as quiet, his eyes soft. "I love us. Always, Gaesha."
"Always?" she repeated, her eyes wide, her heart racing a little. "That's a big word, Kent. You sure about that? Like, really sure?"
"It's a true word," he said, his hands tightening slightly on her waist, pulling her just a tiny bit closer. "You're mine, Gaesha. You always will be, no matter what."
"And you're mine," she said, her voice warm, her smile soft. "Even with my toe-stepping and all my clumsiness."
"Yes," Kent said, and then he laughed—a soft, rare sound that made Gaesha's heart skip a beat, like hearing her favorite song for the first time.
"Laughing Kent!" she said, grinning from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling under the string lights. "That's the best sound in the world! I need to hear that more, like, every single day!"
"It's just for you," he said, his eyes twinkling, his smile small but real. "Only for you, Gaesha. No one else gets that laugh."
They spun slowly, Gaesha's feet bumping into his every few steps, her sneakers catching his toes again.
"Sorry," she said again, almost out of habit, her voice sheepish.
"No," Kent said, shaking his head, his voice gentle. "Never say sorry. Just keep being you, okay? That's all I want."
"Okay, fine," Gaesha said, laughing, her voice bright. "I'll step on your toes all I want then! You asked for it, Kent!"
"Good," he said, pulling her a little closer, his hands steady on her waist. "Step away, Gaesha. I can take it."
She did, her laughter ringing out as she moved, loud and free, and Kent held her tight, keeping her steady, his smile never fading.
The song faded out, but they didn't stop. They kept swaying, the stars above them their only light, the city humming softly below, like it was cheering them on.
"This is the best night," Gaesha said, her voice full of wonder, her eyes wide. "I don't want it to end, Kent. Not ever."
"It is," Kent said, his voice warm, his eyes locked on hers. "The best. Because of you, Gaesha. You make it perfect."
Gaesha smiled, resting her head against his chest for a moment, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
"You're gonna make me cry if you keep saying stuff like that," she said, her voice teasing but soft, her eyes a little shiny.
"Then cry," Kent said, his tone playful, his smile soft. "I'll still be here, Gaesha. Always."
She laughed, lifting her head to look at him, her eyes bright. "You're impossible, Kent. Like, totally impossible."
"No," he said, his eyes serious but kind, his voice steady. "I'm yours. Just yours."
They swayed a little longer, the night wrapping around them like a warm blanket, soft and safe.
Gaesha's clumsy steps didn't matter, and Kent's awkward moves didn't either.
It was just them, on that rooftop, under the Paris sky, dancing to a song only they could hear, their laughter mixing with the fountain's gentle splash.
"This," Gaesha said, her voice barely a whisper, her heart full. "This is what I want forever, Kent. Just this."
"Me too," Kent said, his voice just as quiet, his hands warm on her waist. "Forever with you, Gaesha. That's all I need."
And they kept dancing, the stars watching, the city waiting, and their hearts beating as one, steady and sure under the twinkling Paris sky.