10. Breakfast at Tiffany’s #2
Outside, the night air had cooled slightly, the streets quieter than before.
They walked side by side back toward the ice rink parking lot where they had left their cars, the high of the movie still lingering between them.
A few steps in, their hands brushed. Once.
Twice. This time, it was Alex who took the initiative, hesitantly reaching out and linking their fingers together.
Cassie responded instantly, squeezing gently.
They walked in comfortable silence, the moment stretching between them.
Like the night before, their footsteps naturally synced, moving in time to the soundtrack of the night around them…
the traffic rushing by, pedestrians caught up in their own conversations, the steady hiss of fluorescent lights in the parking lot.
The air was crisp, th e moon bright, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had slowed down just for them.
When they reached Cassie’s car, the soft glow of the parking lot lights wrapped around them like a quiet cocoon, the sound of the night fading into the background. The moment lingered between them, a quiet kind of tension, neither of them eager to break it.
Alex shifted from foot to foot, their sneakers scraping lightly against the pavement. They opened their mouth, then closed it again, unsure of how to begin. Finally, they cleared their throat, awkwardly breaking the stillness. “S-so… brunch tomorrow?”
Cassie winced, her expression apologetic. “I can’t. Already meeting a friend,” she said, offering a soft shrug.
Alex nodded, trying, and failing, to hide the disappointment that skittered across their face. “No worries,” they replied, forcing a smile.
Cassie’s lips curled into a small smile, the kind that reached her eyes. “But we’re definitely doing something next Saturday,” she said, her tone lighter, more playful. “We can make plans later this week.”
Alex’s face brightened instantly, the spark of excitement returning to their eyes. “Yeah, I’d like that.” Their voice was softer now, more certain, as if the promise of next Saturday gave them something to hold on to.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The quiet lingered, warm and comfortable, as they both found themselves caught between the lingering weight of the evening and the unspoken things still hanging in the air.
“Oh, and hey,” Alex began, their voice a little too loud in the quiet of the parking lot, startling them both.
They winced, running a hand through their hair to smooth the awkwardness away.
“I w-wasn’t joking when I said I need to find a place with a roommate.
And, since you need a roommate too…” Alex trailed off, the offer hanging between them, cautious but heartfelt.
Cassie raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp but amused. “What are you saying?” she asked, her voice teasing, though there was something deeper underneath. “You think this is fate?”
Alex shrugged, their tone a little more playful now, but still with a thread of sincerity running through it. “M-maybe.” Their smile was tentative but hopeful.
Cassie let out a short laugh, shaking her head in amusement. “Let’s not jump ahead, hotshot,” she teased, her voice warm. “But… I’ll admit, the timing is kind of funny.”
Alex grinned, their eyes lighting up with mischief. “Just saying… if we don’t find anyone else, it’s an option.” The words were light, but there was a spark of something else in their gaze, something more than just a casual suggestion.
Cassie shook her head, clearly amused, but she didn’t immediately shut the idea down. “We’ll see,” she said, her voice softer now, as if she were considering it more seriously than she let on.
The quiet returned, settling around them protectively.
Alex let out a soft exhale, their eyes darting to Cassie’s lips for a split second.
Their heart raced, suddenly shy in this moment, but something inside them urged them to take the chance.
“U-uh… can I kiss you goodnight?” they asked, their voice barely above a whisper.
Cassie didn’t hesitate. Without a word, she reached up, her hand gentle as she cupped the back of Alex’s neck, pulling them closer.
The kiss began soft. Tentative and sweet.
But then Cassie tilted her head, deepening it.
Alex melted into her, their free hand finding the small of her back, pulling her closer still.
When they finally pulled apart, Alex was breathless, their heart pounding rapidly in their chest. Cassie’s smirk was all the answer Alex needed, clearly pleased with herself. “See you later, Alex,” she said, her voice low and playful.
Alex swallowed hard, the words caught in their throat as they nodded, unable to find anything else to say. “Yeah. See you.”
Cassie slipped into her car, the door clicking shut with a soft thud.
Alex stood there for a moment, rooted to the spot, watching as she drove away, the dull droll of her engine fading into the night.
They couldn’t help the slow, disbelieving smile that took over their face.
The warmth of Cassie’s kiss still lingered there, soft and sweet, like something they didn’t want to let go of.
With a final glance back at the empty parking spot, Alex turned and walked toward their own car, the echo of the kiss lingering on their lips.