Ariana could feel her heartbeat in her ears.
Nick was sitting closer than before.
Not touching her.
But close enough that she could feel his presence clearly.
"Can I ask you something?" he said quietly.
She nodded.
"What?"
He hesitated for a second.
Then he said it very simply.
"Can I kiss you?"
Her brain completely froze.
"What?"
She stared at him like she had heard the wrong thing.
Nick laughed softly at her expression.
"Relax."
She could feel her face getting warm.
"No one has ever asked me that before."
"I know."
"You know?"
"You're easy to read."
She didn't know what to say.
Her heart was racing and her mind was completely blank.
Nick watched her for a moment.
Then he leaned a little closer.
"Don't panic," he said softly.
Before she could react—
He gently kissed her cheek.
Just a soft, quick kiss.
Nothing rushed.
Nothing sudden.
For a moment Ariana forgot how to breathe.
She touched her cheek without realizing.
Her face was completely red.
Nick leaned back again, watching her reaction.
"You look shocked."
"I am shocked."
He laughed quietly.
"That was your first kiss, wasn't it?"
She looked away immediately.
"That's none of your business."
"Pretty sure it is."
She didn't answer.
But inside she was still feeling the warmth from that moment.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't like the movies.
But something about it felt important.
Her first kiss.
Her first real moment like that with someone.
And for some reason she couldn't stop smiling.
Nick noticed.
"You're smiling."
"I'm not."
"You are."
She looked at him again.
This time she didn't look away immediately.
"Maybe a little," she admitted.
Nick leaned back on the bench again, looking satisfied.
"Good."
For a while they just sat there talking like normal.
But something had changed between them.
Something small.
Something quiet.
Something that made the afternoon feel a little warmer than before.