11. Chapter 11, Escape (Aftermath #2)

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Owen

T he faint glow of the paused video game bathes the room in soft light as I sit on the bed, controller balanced on my knee. The sound of a knock makes me glance up.

Mel’s standing in the doorway, her arms crossed loosely, an expression I can’t quite read on her face. Her hair’s slightly messy, like she’s been running her hands through it, and there’s a nervous energy in the way she leans against the frame.

“Hey,” she says, her voice quiet. “Can we talk?”

I set the controller aside, nodding as I pat the spot next to me. “Of course. What’s up?”

She hesitates for a moment before stepping into the room. Her steps are slow, almost cautious, and when she sits down, it’s not quite close enough to touch, but close enough that I can feel the tension radiating off her.

“What are you playing?” she asks, nodding toward the TV.

“Just a game,” I reply, shrugging lightly. “You know, classic Owen wasting time with war strategy. You’re always welcome to mock me for it.”

She gives a faint smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Alright, Mel,” I say gently, turning to face her fully. “What’s on your mind?”

She lets out a breath, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “I’ve been thinking about... us. About last night.”

My heart skips a beat, and I work hard to keep my face neutral. “Okay.”

Her hands twist the hem of her hoodie as she stares down at them. “It felt different, Owen. With the others, it’s always been... just something to pass the time, something to stop me from thinking too much. But with you...” She trails off, shaking her head as if she can’t quite find the words.

“With me?” I prompt softly.

She glances up at me, her eyes raw and unguarded. “With you, it felt meant to be.”

Her words cause a thousand butterflies to take off at once in my stomach. I want to reach out, to touch her hand, but I force myself to wait, to let her set the pace.

“And that scares the hell out of me,” she admits, her voice breaking slightly.

I swallow hard, the ache in my chest growing. “Mel, I—”

“No, let me finish,” she interrupts, holding up a hand. Her tone isn’t harsh, just firm. “I need to get this out.”

I nod, staying silent.

“I’ve been running from anything that feels real since… since Tajikistan,” she says, her voice quiet but steady. “And now, I don’t know how to stop. I don’t know how to... how to let someone in without it all falling apart.”

Her shoulders slump slightly, and she glances away, her jaw tight. “I don’t expect anything from you. I just thought you should know. Because I don’t want you to think this is like the other guys. It’s not. You’re not.”

I reach out then, resting my hand gently over hers. She doesn’t pull away, but her fingers remain tense beneath mine.

“Mel,” I say softly, my thumb brushing against her knuckles. “You don’t have to figure this all out today or tomorrow or even next month. We can take it as slow as you need.”

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine.

“I mean it,” I continue, my voice steady. “You set the speed. If you want to go on a date, you tell me. If you want me to kiss you, you say so. If you want more... I’ll wait for you to say when. As long as it takes, I’m here.”

Her lips part slightly, her breath catching as she stares at me. “You’d really wait?”

“For you?” I say, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’d wait forever.”

She blinks, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, and then she lets out a shaky laugh. “You’re such a sap.”

“Yeah, well, someone’s got to balance out your tough exterior,” I tease gently.

A real smile breaks through then, and she squeezes my hand lightly. “I’m scared, Owen,” she whispers.

“I know,” I reply, my voice soft. “And that’s okay. I’ll be here, no matter what.”

The weight between us shifts, the tension easing just slightly as she leans into my side. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her close, and for the first time since she’s come back, it feels like the walls between us are starting to come down.

We sit like that for a while, the silence between us warm and steady. And I know, deep down, that whatever this is, whatever it becomes, it’ll be worth the wait.

“You really mean it,” she says softly, breaking the silence.

“Mean what?” I ask, glancing down at her.

“That you’d wait,” she replies, her voice quieter now, like she’s testing the words as they leave her lips.

I smile, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Of course, I mean it. I’m in no rush, Mel. I can move at the speed of a snail.” I slow down all my movements like someone pressed slow-motion on a video.

She lets out a small huff of laughter, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“Ridiculously patient,” I say with mock seriousness. “And ridiculously nerdy, in case you forgot.”

She snorts, the sound breaking through the lingering weight in the room. “And ridiculously hot,” she giggles.

“Don’t make me blush,” I reply, grinning. “But seriously, when you’re ready—whether it’s tomorrow, next week, or next year—I’m here.”

Mel pulls back slightly to look up at me, her expression softer now, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re setting the bar pretty high, Owen. What if we are a disaster as a couple?”

“Then I guess we’ll go back to being friends,” I say, smirking. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” I add, nudging her lightly.

“Good,” she says, her smile lingering as she leans back into me. “Because I’m not sure I’d want to.”

The warmth in her voice sends a flicker of hope through my chest. It’s small, tentative, but it’s there. And it’s enough to make me believe that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something real.

“Now,” I say, shifting to a playful tone. “Are you going to make me watch another rom-com when we finally go on that date, or can I pick something with explosions and car chases?”

Mel tilts her head, pretending to consider. “Hmm... depends. How much popcorn are you buying me?”

“All of it,” I say immediately.

“Then maybe,” she replies, her smirk teasing, but there’s a spark of something genuine behind it.

I chuckle, the warmth between us settling into something comfortable, something steady. Whatever this is, whatever it becomes, it feels worth it.

Work is usually my escape, the place where I can throw myself into spreadsheets and strategy meetings and forget about the rest of the world for a while. But today, I’ve barely gotten through a single task. My mind keeps circling back to Mel. It’s been two weeks since she opened up to me and we have taken it slow. Glacially slow. There were a few kisses and cuddles but otherwise we go to our separate rooms at the end of the night and it is killing me.

I promised we’d take it slow. That she’d set the pace. I meant every word, but that doesn’t make the waiting any easier. It’s a slow burn, but if she needs time, I’ll give her all the time in the world. Still, it doesn’t stop her from being the first thing on my mind every damn day.

Mel

Hey. What are you doing?

Working, obviously. Unlike some people who text me in the middle of the day.

Working? Sure, let’s call staring blankly at a spreadsheet “working.” The moment her name popped up on my phone, my focus went straight out the window.

Mel

Excuse me, this is important business.

Oh, really? What kind of important business?

Mel

The kind where I tell you I’m bored and want to distract you.

Bored? I can recommend a few good books.

Distracting me? Like I’m not already completely distracted by thinking about her all day long.

Mel

Books can wait… said nobody ever. But this is really urgent.

I’m intrigued. What’s so urgent?

Mel

I was thinking about you. Specifically about that thing you did with your hands...

...Go on.

Mel

You know, the thing where you brush my hair back just before you kiss me? Yeah, that.

Good to know. Anything else you were thinking about?

Mel

Hmm... maybe.

Maybe? Come on, Mel. Don’t leave me hanging.

Mel

Alright. I was also thinking about how good you look in that black shirt you wore last week.

Oh, so we’re objectifying me now?

Mel

Absolutely. You love it.

Guilty. And for the record, I was thinking about you this morning too.

Alright, let’s put it out there. I meant it when I said I’ll give her all the time in the world, but she started this flirting.

Mel

Oh? Do tell.

I was thinking about how you looked the last time we had that late-night movie session. Legs tucked under you, hair everywhere, wearing that oversized hoodie.

Mel

Sexy, huh?

More than you know.

She has no idea. None. And even if I tried to explain it, I’m not sure I’d do it justice. She’s sexy in a way that sneaks up on you and leaves you completely wrecked.

Mel

I might have to test that theory sometime.

Careful, Mel. You’re dangerously close to making me leave work early.

Mel

Is that a threat or a promise?

Depends. Are you home right now?

Please say yes. Please, for the love of everything, say yes. If she’s home, I’m already halfway out the door in my head.

Mel

Maybe.

Mel...

Mel

Alright, fine. Yes, I’m home. I took the day off.

Good. How do you feel about testing my theory?

I think I’ll have to take an hour long cold shower if she says no.

Mel

I’ll be waiting.

Make sure you wear the hoodie.

Mel

Only the hoodie?

If you insist.

Mel

See you in a bit, Owen.

Counting down the minutes, Mel.

Minutes? More like seconds. Work doesn’t stand a chance. Thank god, I am the boss.

VOTE

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