Chapter 15 #2
But Anna’s next words made my heart flutter with something I hadn’t been ready to feel. “You may not see it, but I do. He’s letting his guard down with you in a way he hasn’t with anyone else.”
Could Anna be right? Could all those small, seemingly insignificant moments add up to something more?
My heart thumped, the excitement bubbling up inside me before I could even process it.
I hadn’t let myself hope that this could be anything beyond an act, a charade to help his mother feel better.
But now, standing here with Anna’s words hanging in the air, I started to wonder. Had he been dropping hints all along?
Just as the thought began to take shape, the door creaked open, and Topher stepped outside, Luke following behind him.
They were mid-conversation, but Topher’s eyes found mine instantly.
And there it was—that look. The one I hadn’t allowed myself to read into before, the one that felt soft and focused, like he saw something in me that no one else did.
My pulse quickened, and every word Anna had just said echoed in my mind.
“Kathleen,” Topher said, his voice calm but carrying a warmth I hadn’t expected, “I was just telling Luke about the social work program at Tulane. How perfect I think you’d be for it.”
I blinked, completely thrown. He had been talking about me? Even when I wasn’t around? The idea sent my thoughts into a spiral, something electric unfurled in my chest.
Suddenly, everything Anna had said hit me all at once.
The soft glances, the thoughtful gestures, the way he always seemed to want to make sure I was okay.
It wasn’t just about fooling his mom or keeping up appearances.
Topher’s feelings weren’t just part of the act.
They were real. And the more I thought about it, the more undeniable it became.
The excitement built inside me, my mind spinning with possibilities I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine before. And now that I was starting to see it, I couldn’t unsee it.
I couldn’t stop smiling, my heart swelling with a hope that had been buried for far too long.
For the first time in a long time, I let myself believe in the possibility of something good. And it felt amazing.
“Alright,” Anna said, glancing at her phone. “We should probably get going. Early flight tomorrow.”
Luke nodded. “The pilots are sticklers for takeoff times, even with a private plane. They like to keep things running smoothly.”
Anna rolled her eyes, linking her arm with his. “Yeah, smoothly until we’re sitting on the tarmac because someone forgot something important again.”
“Hey,” Luke replied, a hint of a smile on his lips, “one time I forgot my passport. One. Time. And I told you, it wasn’t even that important.”
Topher grinned, shaking his head. “Not that important, huh? You might want to rethink that strategy if you plan on ever leaving the country again.”
Luke gave him a playful shove. “That’s what private planes are for, my friend. They let you get away with that stuff. But I guess we should get there on time, just to be nice.”
“Generous of you,” Topher teased. “Don’t want to upset the pilot. Wouldn’t want him holding up takeoff because of, you know, poor planning.”
Luke groaned dramatically. “Man, you hold onto one little thing…”
“Little thing?” Topher laughed. “Forgetting your passport is huge, Luke. I’m surprised Anna even lets you pack your own bags.”
Anna smiled knowingly. “Oh, he doesn’t. That’s why we’re always on time now.”
Luke shrugged, conceding with a grin, then looked at her like she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. “Hey, at least I’ve got you to keep me in line.”
When they were getting ready to leave, Anna hugged me as Luke turned to Topher. “Take care, Kathleen,” she whispered. “And take care of him too,” she added with a soft wink.
“I will,” I promised, squeezing her before she stepped back.
Luke and Anna slipped into the back of the car, the door clicking shut behind them. Their driver started the engine, and the headlights illuminated the driveway. Topher and I stood on the porch, side by side, waving as the car rolled away, disappearing down the road.
For a moment, the quiet settled in around us, and I felt a peaceful kind of warmth.
I smiled, then turned toward the door, ready to head inside.
But before I could even reach for the handle, I felt Topher’s hand grab mine, stopping me in my tracks.
His grip was firm but gentle, and as I turned back, he didn’t let go.
Instead, he pulled me back toward him, outside, right into his arms.
My heart thumped so loudly I swore he could hear it. I looked up at him, caught completely off guard. “What... what is this about?” My voice was barely above a whisper.
There was a sweet shyness in the way he looked down at me. He swallowed, his eyes searching mine, and in that moment, he seemed almost vulnerable.
“I want to take you on a date. A real date. No acting, no pretending. Because... what I’m feeling isn’t pretend.”
I blinked, my breath catching as his words sank in. He was still holding my hand, and I could feel the warmth of it.
“I need to know if this is real.” He spoke carefully, sounding almost shy.
“I need to find out if I still feel the same when no one’s looking.
” Then he cleared his throat, the hint of doubt appearing to fall away, and when he spoke again, there was a quiet certainty in his tone, like he had made up his mind.
“But I’m not particularly worried. No one’s looking now, and I feel. .. everything.”
My heart swelled, and for a second, the world tilted on its axis. I could barely process the rush of emotions flooding through me. All I knew was that he was standing here, telling me exactly what I needed to hear.
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come out right away.
Instead, a soft laugh escaped my lips, filled with a mix of surprise and happiness.
Inside, my heart was practically screaming, Yes, yes, yes!
But I forced myself to stay cool. I bit back the smile threatening to give me away and nodded, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I think…” I whispered, my voice catching slightly, “I think I’d really like that.”
He smiled, a real, genuine smile that made my heart skip, and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me. “Good, because I’ve wanted this for a while. I just didn’t realize it until now.”
A warmth spread through me, and everything clicked. We were on the same page, stepping into something real. And as I looked up at him, I knew that this was just the beginning.