~ Chapter 21 ~
Eva arrived twelve minutes early.
She knew this because she checked the time three times in the first sixty seconds after sitting down.
The small coffee shop near campus was busy but not overwhelming. Soft music played overhead, sunlight spilling through tall windows, the smell of espresso and vanilla hanging warm in the air. It was the kind of place people came to linger.
Eva was not lingering.
She sat at a small table near the window, both hands wrapped around her cup even though she hadn't taken a sip yet. Her knee bounced under the table. Her brain refused to be quiet.
This wasn't a breakup conversation.
This wasn't a fight.
This wasn't bad.
But it was important.
Which somehow felt scarier.
She kept replaying Reed's voice in her head. The way he said her name. The way he looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention. The way he asked before kissing her.
She liked him.
A lot.
And she had no idea what that meant for her life trajectory, her emotional stability, or her ability to function like a normal person.
Eva took a breath.
You're fine.
You're safe.
No one is dying.
"Hey, is anyone sitting here?"
Eva looked up.
The guy standing beside her table was tall, conventionally attractive, wearing a fitted jacket and a friendly smile. Not Reed.
Definitely not Reed.
"Oh," Eva said, automatically polite. "Um— no."
He slid into the chair across from her without waiting for further confirmation.
"I'm Matt," he said. "I think we're in the same data structures class."
Eva blinked.
"Oh. I'm Eva."
Matt smiled. "Cool. I always see you with that group that studies together. You're, like, really smart."
Eva felt heat creep into her cheeks. "I just... try."
Matt leaned forward slightly. A little too close.
"So what are you working on?"
Eva glanced at her closed notebook. "I'm actually waiting for someone."
Matt didn't move back.
"Oh yeah? Boyfriend?"
Eva opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Before she could panic further—
"Hey."
Reed's voice.
Low.
Calm.
Close.
Eva's entire body reacted before her brain did.
She turned.
Reed stood beside her table, one hand resting casually on the back of her chair.
Not aggressive.
Not loud.
But unmistakably present.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, eyes on Eva. "Had to finish up with Coach."
Her heart melted.
"It's okay," she said softly.
Reed's hand slid from the chair to her shoulder.
Not gripping.
Not claiming.
Just there.
Grounded.
Matt glanced between them. "Oh. I didn't realize—"
"She's with me," Reed said.
Not sharp.
Not rude.
Certain.
Eva felt it everywhere.
Matt cleared his throat. "Right. My bad."
He stood, awkward now. "Good seeing you, Eva."
"Yeah," Eva said, a little breathless. "You too."
Matt walked away.
Reed pulled the empty chair closer to Eva's table and sat.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
Eva nodded. "Yeah. Just... awkward."
Reed's mouth tilted slightly. "You don't owe anyone anything."
She looked at him.
"You didn't have to say it like that," she murmured.
"Like what."
"Like I'm... yours."
Reed held her gaze.
"I wanted to."
Eva swallowed.
They sat in that for a second.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Charged.
Reed rested his forearms on the table.
"I am not sharing you with anyone, I am not sharing myself with anyone," he said. "So I'm just going to say this straight."
Eva's stomach flipped.
"I don't want to see anyone else," Reed continued. "I don't want to act like we're kind of something. I don't want to leave space for misunderstandings."
He reached for her hand slowly.
Eva placed hers in his immediately.
"I want you," Reed said. "Only you. If you're okay with that."
Eva didn't hesitate.
"I don't want to see anyone else either."
Reed's thumb brushed over her knuckles.
"I like you," Eva added softly. "A lot."
Reed's jaw tightened slightly, like he was holding something back.
"Good," he said. "Because I like you more than I probably should at this stage."
Eva laughed nervously. "That doesn't sound responsible."
Reed smirked. "I've never claimed to be responsible."
Her heart did a small somersault.
"So," Reed said. "We're together."
Eva nodded.
"Yeah."
Reed leaned in a little.
"Can I kiss you?"
Eva's lips parted. She thought he'd never ask.
"Yes."
The kiss was slow.
Warm.
Unrushed.
Reed's hand slid gently to her waist.
Eva's fingers curled into his hoodie.
Just two people choosing each other with their mouths.
When they pulled back, Reed rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm not sharing you," he murmured.
Eva's breath hitched.
"I don't want to be shared," she whispered back.
Reed smiled.
And just like that—
They were.