that involved Jason Montgomery. The idea of seeing him outside of school-of being alone with him-felt like stepping into the unknown, and though she was scared, she also

day morning, still groggy from a restless night. "You're meeting him this afternoon,

ke that. Just coffee," she said, trying to sound casual, though her heart

ng, "Well, I hope you have fun. Don't be nervous. You'

d kept drifting to the message she had received from Jason the night before. They had agreed to meet at the small, cozy coffee shop near the do

e didn't want to look like she hadn't made any effort either. After staring into her closet for what felt like hours, she finally settled on a simple but

re walking downstairs. Her mom was already in the kitchen, fixing lunch for h

at in the car for a few minutes, staring at the entrance. She kept thinking of every possible way the afternoon

d out of the car, taking a deep breath. She

he doorframe, a look of ease on his face. He wasn't wearing anything too fancy

ow and warm. He smiled, and for a moment, E

er voice a little sh

He pushed the door open for her

g a cappuccino and Jason opting for a black coffee-and then found a small corner table near the window. The moment they sat

ling his cup before taking

al question. "Same old. You know h

he window. "Yeah. I feel like I'm always

y. "Really? I thought you'd be all about it. Yo

hat. People think they know me, but it's al

ghtly, her curiosity pi

the vulnerability in his eyes. "I don't know. It's like... everyone

g that made Emma feel like maybe, just maybe, there

just assume they know who you are based on what t

e, almost shy smile. It made Em

had anticipated, and with each laugh and shared glance, the tension seemed to melt away. But there was something else, too. Something unspoken, hoverin

d back in his chair, his eyes studying her. "You'r

pped a beat. "Wh

t know. I guess I thought you'd be more... I don't k

y. "I guess I'm not

ment, his gaze intense. "I'm gl

friendship, more than just a simple coffee date. It was something bigger, something that both sc