Before she could finish her sentence, Alex stepped closer—slow, intentional—lifting his hands to her waist. His fingers settled around her curves like he'd imagined it a thousand times.
And then—
He kissed her.
Not rushed.
Not greedy.
Just slow, deep, and gentle… like he wanted to taste every part of her lips, memorize every second, make sure she felt cherished.
Ava melted into it, her eyes fluttering shut as warmth washed through her entire body. It felt like the world around them disappeared. Just his lips. His hands. That moment.
When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers for a second.
"I think we should stop here…" he murmured softly. "I don't want to rush things."
Ava nodded, breathless, smiling like she couldn't help it even if she tried.
She held the bouquet tightly and walked toward her house, each step feeling lighter than air. Just before entering, she turned around instinctively—and Alex was still there, leaning against his car, staring at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
She smiled and waved.
He waved back.
Then he got into his car and drove away.
Ava slipped inside her house quietly, humming a little tune without realizing it. She went upstairs, kicked off her heels, and collapsed face-first onto her bed.
Then—she squealed into her pillow like a girl who just lived her dream and still couldn't believe it.
She replayed every moment in her head—the dinner, the looks, his voice, the kiss—until her cheeks hurt from smiling.
Tonight…
Tonight felt like the beginning of something real.
Ava woke up the next morning with her face buried in her pillow and her heart still floating somewhere above the clouds. Her alarm buzzed loudly, but for the first time in ages, she didn't groan or roll her eyes.
She just smiled.
A slow, dreamy smile.
Because last night wasn't a dream.
Alex really kissed her.
Alex really said he'd loved her for a long time.
Alex really held her like she was something precious.
She ran her fingers over her lips, remembering the warmth, the way he paused like he didn't want to let go. Her stomach filled with butterflies all over again.
Ava jumped out of bed, did her skincare with extra energy, styled her hair into a loose ponytail, and picked out a cropped white tee with high-waist jeans and her favorite sneakers. Cute, but not "I'm trying too hard." Perfect.
On the way to school, she couldn't stop blushing at her reflection in shop windows. She looked… happy. Like the version of herself she always wanted to be.
The moment she stepped into campus, Gabrielle spotted her immediately.
"Oh. My. God," Gabrielle said, dropping her cup of iced tea. "Why are you smiling like that? Did you win the lottery? Did someone give you free food? WHAT HAPPENED?"
Ava tried to play it cool.
"Nothing… I just had a good night."
Gabrielle narrowed her eyes.
"Ava."
"Ava."
"Ava."
"What?!" Ava laughed.
"Don't 'what' me. Spill it."
Ava looked around, grabbed Gabrielle's wrist, and dragged her behind one of the tall pillars near the lecture hall.
"Okay…" Ava whispered. "He kissed me."
Gabrielle gasped so loud a pigeon flew away.
"He WHAT?! Alex kissed you? Alex 'perfect skin, tall, handsome, top-of-the-class' Alex? Are you serious?!"
Ava nodded shyly.
Gabrielle grabbed her shoulders and shook her dramatically.
"Girl, don't play with me! Start from the beginning. Slowly. Word by word. With details."
Ava covered her face.
"I can't It's embarrassing!"
"Embarrassing my foot! Talk!"
So Ava told her everything the dinner, the private table, how gentle he was, the way he looked at her like she was the only girl alive, and, of course, the kiss.
By the time she finished, Gabrielle had her hands on her chest like she just listened to a proposal.
"Ava… babe… this is giving Wattpad main character," she said, fanning herself dramatically. "I'm literally shaking."
Ava giggled.
Just then, someone called her name.
"Ava!"
She turned and her heart skipped.
Alex was walking toward her across campus, wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and that casual morning confidence that made him look even better than last night.
Gabrielle whispered, "Oh my God, he's coming! Fix your hair! Fix your soul!"
Ava rolled her eyes but touched her ponytail anyway.
Alex stopped right in front of her, and that soft little smile appeared again.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," she replied, trying not to melt.
Gabrielle stared at the two of them like she was watching a movie premiere.
Alex continued, "I was hoping to walk you to class. If that's okay."
Ava nodded.
"Yeah… I'd like that."
He reached for her books gently, taking them out of her hands. Their fingers brushed, and Ava felt electricity shoot through her body.
Gabrielle mouthed behind him:
"HE'S A HUSBAND."
Ava bit her lip to stop a laugh.
As Alex and Ava walked side by side through campus close enough for their hands to almost touch Ava realized something:
Last night wasn't just a moment.
It was the start of something she wasn't ready to let go of.