For a moment after Mary left, none of us moved.
It was like everything needed a second to settle.
Ethan was the first to break the silence.
"Alright," he said, clapping his hands once. "That was officially the most dramatic thing I've ever witnessed in real life."
"Can you not?" I muttered, still trying to process everything.
"I'm serious," he continued. "That was like a movie scene. The tension? The confession? The kiss? Incredible."
I covered my face.
"Please stop narrating my life."
Austin laughed softly beside me.
"You're encouraging him."
"I'm just appreciating the moment," Ethan said proudly.
"Go appreciate it somewhere else," I replied.
He gasped.
"You're kicking me out?"
"Yes."
"After all I've done for you?"
"You've done too much."
Austin shook his head, smiling.
"I think you should go, Ethan."
Ethan looked personally offended.
"Wow. Betrayal from both sides."
"Bye," I said, waving him off.
He sighed dramatically.
"Fine. I'll leave. But just so you know—"
He pointed between us.
"This is not over. I expect updates."
"You're not getting any!"
"We'll see," he said with a grin.
Then he turned and walked off, still muttering something about "romance development" under his breath.
Finally…
It was just us.
Again.
I exhaled slowly.
"That was… a lot."
"Yeah," Austin agreed.
Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… full.
I looked at him.
"You really didn't hesitate."
He met my eyes.
"I meant what I said."
My heart did that thing again.
The same way it always did around him.
"But still," I said softly, "that was bold."
He smiled a little.
"You didn't stop me."
I felt my face warm.
"That's becoming a pattern."
"Not a bad one," he said.
I looked away for a second, trying to calm my thoughts.
Then back at him.
"You know everyone probably saw that."
"Probably."
"You don't care?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
I stared at him.
"How are you like this?"
He shrugged.
"Simple."
"That's not helpful."
He laughed.
Then, more quietly—
"I just don't want to keep pretending this is something it's not."
My chest tightened slightly.
"And what is it?" I asked.
He stepped closer.
"This."
My heart started racing again.
"You keep saying that," I whispered.
"Because it's true."
There it was again.
That feeling.
That pull.
And this time…
I didn't fight it.
Austin lifted his hand slightly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.
The gesture was so gentle it made my breath catch.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded.
"Yeah."
He didn't move his hand right away.
And I didn't move away.
That quiet moment stretched just enough—
Before he leaned in again.
Slower this time.
Like he wasn't proving anything.
Just… choosing it.
Choosing me.
I felt my heart pick up, faster and louder, but I didn't panic.
Not this time.
When his lips met mine again, it felt different.
Warmer.
More certain.
Not rushed.
Not interrupted.
Just… real.
I found myself relaxing into it, not overthinking, not pulling back.
Just letting the moment happen.
For once.
When he pulled away, it wasn't far.
We stayed close.
Close enough that I could still feel the warmth.
"…Okay," I whispered.
He smiled.
"Okay?"
"That one didn't get interrupted."
"Progress."
I laughed softly.
"Finally."
He leaned his forehead lightly against mine.
"You're smiling again."
"I'm allowed to smile."
"I didn't say you weren't."
"You pointed it out."
"Because I like it."
My heart did that stupid flip again.
"You say things like that too easily."
"I mean them."
"That's the problem."
He chuckled.
"Not really."
I shook my head, but I was still smiling.
Then—
He kissed me again.
This time quicker.
Like he couldn't help it.
I blinked in surprise when he pulled back.
"…You just did that randomly."
"Yeah."
"Why?"
He shrugged.
"Felt like it."
I laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
"You didn't complain."
"I'm not complaining."
"Good."
He leaned in slightly again—
I pushed his shoulder lightly.
"Okay, relax."
He laughed.
"Alright, alright."
We both stepped back a little, but the space between us didn't feel distant.
Just… comfortable.
"So," I said.
"So?"
"What happens now?"
He thought for a moment.
Then said simply,
"We keep going."
"That's your plan?"
"Yeah."
"No complicated strategy?"
"No."
"No overthinking?"
He smiled.
"That's your job."
I rolled my eyes.
"Of course it is."
He took my hand this time.
Casually.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And somehow…
It felt like it.
I looked down at our hands.
Then back at him.
"…This is new."
"Yeah."
"You're very calm about it."
"I told you," he said. "I don't overcomplicate things."
I shook my head slightly.
"I do."
"I know."
"But…"
I squeezed his hand slightly.
"I think I like this."
He smiled.
"I know."
And just like that—
No more almosts.
No more interruptions.
No more confusion.
Just something simple.
Something real.
And for once…
I wasn't scared of it.