Chapter 15: Leaning In
Wednesday evening.
Rain tapped softly against the window, creating a rhythm that seemed to echo the tension in the apartment.
I was curled up on the couch, finishing a few notes, when Alex appeared with two mugs of hot chocolate.
"Thought you might need this," he said softly, handing me a mug.
Our fingers brushed as I took it.
A spark ran through me, and I froze.
He didn't pull away.
Instead, he sat beside me on the couch, close enough that our shoulders lightly touched.
My chest tightened.
Every nerve in my body screamed at me to move, but… I stayed.
"I… I can't focus with this weather," I admitted quietly, trying to sound casual.
Alex tilted his head, a soft, unreadable smile on his lips.
"Maybe it's not the weather… maybe it's just me," he whispered.
I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening.
Before I could respond, he shifted slightly closer, his shoulder pressing more intentionally against mine.
Just a little. Just enough.
I looked at him, eyes wide, unsure what to do.
He noticed, and his expression softened.
"Hey… it's okay," he murmured.
"Nothing has to happen… unless you want it to."
My heart raced.
I wanted to retreat. I wanted to deny it.
But the warmth of his shoulder, the closeness, the quiet intimacy… it made me ache.
For a long moment, we just sat there.
Shoulder to shoulder. Hands resting near each other.
Silent, yet full of unspoken words and emotions we were both too nervous to name.
Finally, I exhaled, trying to steady myself.
"I… I should get some work done," I murmured.
Alex didn't move. He just gave me a soft, patient smile, as if saying:
We'll see… soon enough.
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