Sophia's last stop turned out to be a small overlook on the quieter side of the city. The road had curved upward through a canopy of ancient oaks, their branches knitting together overhead until the sky broke open again at the summit.
There wasn't much there—just a few weathered benches, their paint chipped and faded, and a low stone wall that marked the edge of the drop.
Below, the city sprawled in a blanket of amber and white lights, twinkling like scattered jewels against the dark.
The hum of traffic was distant, muffled, more a memory of sound than sound itself.
The air was cooler up here, carrying the faint scent of pine and dry earth.
Jane stepped out of the car and let the door close with a soft thunk. She turned slowly, taking it all in—the way the lights blurred at the edges, the way the stars were just beginning to pierce the velvet sky.
She looked over her shoulder at Sophia, who was rounding the hood. "You brought me somewhere just to look at lights?"
Sophia came to a stop beside her, hands slipping into the pockets of her blazer. Her gaze swept across the view, then settled on Jane's profile. "I thought you might like it."
Jane's smile was soft, genuine. She turned to face the city again, her shoulders relaxing. "I do."
They stood beside each other for a while, the silence comfortable, filled only by the whisper of wind through the grass and the occasional chirp of a cricket. Jane's hand found Sophia's, their fingers interlacing naturally, like they'd been doing it for years.
Jane squeezed gently. "Thank you."
Sophia looked down at their joined hands, her thumb already tracing slow circles across Jane's knuckles. "For what?"
"For tonight. For all of it." Jane's voice was quiet, honest.
Sophia's thumb stilled for just a moment, then resumed its gentle path. "I enjoyed it too."
Jane tilted her head, catching Sophia's eye. "Even when I interrogated you?"
A low, warm laugh escaped Sophia. "Especially then."
Jane laughed too, the sound bright and unguarded. "You're getting better at this."
"At what?" Sophia's brow lifted.
"Being my girlfriend." Jane's grin was teasing, but her eyes were soft.
Sophia's smile was slow, deliberate. "I've had an excellent teacher."
Jane leaned into her, her shoulder pressing against Sophia's arm. "Who?"
Sophia turned her head, her lips brushing the top of Jane's hair. "You."
Jane looked up, her chin resting against Sophia's shoulder. "I'm a good teacher?"
"The best." Sophia's voice was a murmur.
Jane's smile widened, her cheeks warming despite the cool night air. Then she sighed, a soft exhale that carried a hint of reluctance. "We should probably go."
Sophia nodded, but her hand tightened around Jane's for just a second longer. "I'll take you home."
The drive back was quieter. Not awkward. Just comfortable—the kind of silence that felt like a shared secret.
The city lights streamed past, blurred streaks of gold and red, and the car hummed beneath them like a living thing.
Jane rested her head against the seat, her body angled toward Sophia. She watched the way Sophia's fingers curled around the steering wheel, the way her jaw relaxed between turns, the way the streetlights painted shadows across her face.
Sophia noticed after the third glance. A small smile tugged at her lips. "What?"
Jane didn't look away. "Nothing."
"You keep looking at me." Sophia's voice was amused.
Jane's grin was unapologetic. "I'm allowed."
Sophia's mouth curved, her eyes flicking to Jane for just a moment before returning to the road. "Yes. You are."
When they reached the dorm, Sophia pulled over near the entrance, the tires crunching against the gravel shoulder. The engine idled, a low, steady purr.
Jane unfastened her seat belt, the click sharp in the quiet. But she didn't immediately open the door. She sat there, her fingers resting on the buckle.
Sophia turned to her, concern flickering across her features. "Everything okay?"
Jane nodded, her gaze dropping to Sophia's lips for just a fraction of a second. "Yeah."
She leaned across the console, her hand finding Sophia's jaw, her thumb brushing the soft skin just below her ear. She kissed her—softly, unhurriedly, like she was memorizing the shape of Sophia's mouth.
It lasted only a few seconds. But when Jane pulled back, Sophia's eyes were still closed, her lips parted slightly. She blinked them open, looking almost dazed.
"Goodnight." Jane's voice was barely a whisper.
Sophia's breath caught. "Goodnight."
Jane opened the door, the cool air rushing in. She stepped out, then leaned back down toward the open window, her forearms resting on the frame.
"Call me." Her voice was warm, expectant.
"I will." Sophia's hand rested on the door handle, as if she were considering getting out too.
Jane's grin turned playful. "And don't forget."
Sophia lowered the window further, leaning toward her. "Forget what?"
Jane's eyes sparkled. "That I'm your girlfriend."
Sophia's laugh was soft, surprised. She shook her head slowly, her gaze tracing Jane's face. "I don't think that's possible."
Jane's grin widened. "Good."
She finally straightened and walked inside, her footsteps echoing against the concrete path. She didn't look back—but she heard Sophia's car idle for a long moment before pulling away.
Jane barely made it into the dorm before Mia appeared from the common room like a hawk spotting prey. Her hair was messy, her laptop clutched to her chest, and her eyes were sharp with curiosity.
She took one look at Jane. Then looked behind her—at the empty doorway, the dark hall beyond. Then back at Jane.
"Where is she?" Mia's voice was demanding.
Jane dropped her bag onto the nearest chair with a soft thump. "Who?"
Mia's eyes narrowed. "Don't."
Jane's smile crept across her face, slow and helpless. "I came home."
"I can see that." Mia folded her arms, laptop pressed against her chest. "I was expecting you tomorrow morning."
Jane laughed, shrugging off her light jacket. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"I'm not disappointed." Mia's voice was defensive.
Jane raised an eyebrow.
Mia sighed, her shoulders dropping. "Fine. I'm extremely disappointed."
Jane's laughter was bright, filling the small common room. "You wanted me to stay at Sophia's?"
"Obviously." Mia flopped onto the couch, her laptop bouncing on her lap. "It's a first date. You're supposed to come back with tangled hair and a dazed expression."
Jane slipped off her shoes, lining them neatly by the door. "She has work tomorrow."
"So?" Mia gestured dramatically.
"And I have class." Jane's voice was matter-of-fact.
Mia pointed a finger at her. "Excuses."
Jane laughed again, softer this time. "We had a nice date. She brought me home."
Mia's expression softened, the teasing edge fading. "Really?"
Jane nodded, her smile turning gentle. "Really."
Mia's face split into a warm grin. "Then I'm happy."
Jane walked past her, heading toward the hallway.
Mia's voice followed her. "But I'm still disappointed."
Jane's voice floated back, amused. "I know."
The next morning came with the usual rush—alarm clocks blaring, showers hissing, the clatter of hurried footsteps in the hall.
Jane had barely managed to gulp down half a cup of instant coffee before sprinting to her first lecture.
By midmorning, the café had settled into its familiar rhythm. The scent of fresh grounds and warm milk hung in the air like a second skin.
Steam rose from the espresso machine in lazy curls. Jane moved behind the counter with practiced ease, her hands finding cups and lids without conscious thought.
The door chimed.
Sophia stepped inside.
She had stopped here plenty of times before. Same car. Same order. Same calm expression. But today, something was different.
It was in the way Jane's head snapped up at the sound of the bell. It was in the way Sophia's shoulders dropped the moment her eyes found Jane. It was in the half-second pause between them, a breath held and released.
Neither spoke immediately.
Jane smiled first—a slow, spreading warmth that lit her entire face.
Sophia smiled back, smaller but no less real.
Mr. Ben, standing nearby with a tray of ceramic cups, glanced between them. His weathered hands steadied the tray. He had seen Sophia come in before, had watched her order black coffee and leave without a second glance. But this—this was different.
The way Jane looked at Sophia, like she was the only person in the room.
The way Sophia's gaze softened, like she was seeing something precious.
Mr. Ben said nothing. He simply picked up the tray and walked toward the kitchen, his footsteps unhurried, his expression unreadable. He was an old man. He knew when to make himself scarce.
Sophia approached the counter, her heels clicking softly against the tile. "Good morning."
Jane's smile widened, crinkling the corners of her eyes. "Morning."
"You look busy." Sophia's gaze swept across the empty café.
"I am." Jane's voice was dry.
Sophia's lips twitched. She glanced pointedly at the two occupied tables, then back at Jane. "Very busy."
Jane laughed, the sound bright and unguarded. "You caught me."
Sophia leaned slightly against the counter, her forearms resting on the worn wood. The scent of her perfume—something floral, understated—drifted across the space between them. "How's your morning?"
"Good." Jane's fingers found the edge of the register, tracing its rim. "Yours?"
Sophia's smile softened. "Better now."
Jane's cheeks flushed, a warm pink that crept up from her collar. She looked down, pretending to study the buttons on the register, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.
"What can I get you?" Jane's voice was steady, but her fingers were trembling slightly.
"The usual." Sophia's voice was low, intimate.
Jane nodded, already reaching for a cup. "Coffee?"
"Yes." Sophia's eyes never left her.
Jane paused, her hand hovering over the machine. "Anything else?"
Sophia held her gaze. "No."
Jane caught the look—the weight of it, the warmth. Her breath hitched. "You're sure?"
Sophia smiled, slow and deliberate. "Very."
Jane prepared the coffee while Sophia watched. The hiss of the steam, the rich aroma of freshly ground beans, the careful way Jane measured the pour—all of it felt heightened, charged.
When she placed the cup on the counter, the ceramic made a soft clink against the wood. Sophia reached for it, her fingers brushing against Jane's.
"Thank you."
Jane's hand lingered. "You're welcome."
Sophia picked up the cup, the warmth seeping through the sleeve. Then she paused, her eyes searching Jane's face. "I'll call you later."
Jane looked up, surprise flickering across her features. "You will?"
"I promised." Sophia's voice was soft.
Jane's smile returned, slower this time, more vulnerable. "Okay."
Sophia started toward the door, her steps measured. Then she turned back, her hand resting on the frame. "Have a good day."
Jane's voice was warm, steady. "You too."
The bell chimed as Sophia stepped outside. Jane watched through the window as she walked toward her car, the morning sun catching the edges of her hair, turning them to gold.
Mr. Ben returned from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a cloth. He stood beside the counter, following Jane's gaze toward the door.
Then at Jane.
Jane turned, catching his expression. "What?"
Mr. Ben simply smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Nothing."
Jane narrowed her eyes. "You're doing that thing."
"What thing?" His voice was innocent.
"Looking like you know something." Jane's tone was accusing, but her lips were twitching.
Mr. Ben picked up the coffee cup Jane had just used to prepare Sophia's drink. He turned it over in his hands, studying it like it held secrets. "I'm an old man. I'm allowed to notice things."
Jane smiled despite herself. "Notice what?"
He shrugged, setting the cup down. "Nothing."
And went back to work.
But Jane caught the way his eyes crinkled, the way his shoulders shook with silent laughter.
And she couldn't help but laugh too.