Chapter 5 Mom has a guest !

Rae's POV

The cab ride back to Zara's apartment felt like floating.

My fingers kept drifting to my lips, pressing there like I could hold the feeling in place forever.

By the time I reached her building, my heart was still racing too fast to slow down. I let myself in with the spare key she'd given me ages ago, kicked off my shoes in the entryway, and found her exactly where

I expected: curled up on the couch in pajama shorts and an old band tee, scrolling through her phone with a bowl of popcorn balanced on her stomach.

She looked up the second the door clicked shut.

"Oh my god," she said, sitting bolt upright. Popcorn scattered like confetti. "You're glowing. Like, actually glowing. What happened? Did he finally break the no-touch rule?"

I dropped my bag and collapsed next to her, burying my face in my hands for a second before peeking through my fingers. "He kissed me. Just once. At the end. Outside the hotel. And it was... Zara, it was perfect."

Her scream was muffled by the pillow she grabbed to hug. "DETAILS. NOW. I'm living vicariously through you, and I refuse to be left hanging."

I laughed-shaky, happy, a little delirious-and pulled my knees up, turning to face her fully.

"Okay. So he changed the plan. No club tonight. He took me to this restaurant at the top of the Elysium Hotel-The Crystal Veil. Lanterns floating everywhere, city lights for miles, white tablecloths, tiny flowers in bowls... it looked like something out of a dream. He was already there when I walked in, standing up when he saw me, smiling like I was the best thing that had happened to him all day."

Zara clutched her chest. "Romantic bastard. Go on."

"We talked. For hours. Like, real talking. He asked me to tell him something true about myself-not the polished version, the real one. So I told him about the poetry shoebox, the children's book dreams, and how the Caleb thing made me feel small for a while. And he listened. Like, really listened. No interrupting, no fixing. Just... seeing me."

She nodded slowly, eyes soft. "That's rare."

"It is. Then he told me things too. He restores old buildings-forgotten theaters, libraries, even a carousel once, because a kid wrote a letter asking for it back. He said he likes giving things second chances, but sometimes forgets to do it for himself. And last night, talking to me... it reminded him what it feels like to want something slowly. Carefully. He said I matter. Even if we only ever have these nights. He said I matter."

Zara's eyes went glassy. "Stop. I'm going to cry. That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

"I almost did cry. Right there at the table." I wiped at my eyes, laughing through it. "We talked about everything-books, fears, stupid childhood stories. He's scared of heights, too. We laughed so hard about that. And the food was amazing, but honestly? I barely tasted it. I was too busy watching his face when he talked. The way his eyes crinkle when he smiles for real. The way his voice gets quieter when he's saying something vulnerable."

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "And the kiss?"

I exhaled slowly, letting the memory wash over me again. "After dinner, we walked out under these string lights outside the hotel. No one around. He turned to me and asked-actually asked-if he could kiss me goodnight. Just once. Just soft. No more than that. I said yes, obviously. And then he stepped in so slowly, like he was giving me every second to change my mind. When his lips touched mine... it wasn't hungry or desperate. It was gentle. Tender. Like he was holding something fragile and precious. I could feel his heartbeat through the space between us. It lasted maybe ten seconds, but it felt like forever. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine for a second-just breathing-and said he wants more nights like this. More talks. More of me telling him my dreams while he falls a little harder every time."

Zara let out a long, dreamy sigh. "I'm deceased. You're living in a romance novel, and I'm here for every page."

"I know." My voice cracked a little. "I told him I want more too. Then he walked away-hands in his pockets, looking back once with this smile that made my knees weak. And I just stood there under the lights, lips tingling, heart so full it hurt."

She pulled me into a hug, squeezing tight. "You deserve every bit of this, Rae. Every sweet word, every careful touch, every moment he makes you feel like you're the only person in the world."

I hugged her back, burying my face in her shoulder. "I'm scared it's too good to be real."

"Then be scared. And keep going anyway." She pulled back, grinning through shiny eyes. "You're sleeping over tonight. No arguments. We're staying up late, eating junk, watching terrible rom-coms, and you're going to replay that kiss in your head until you fall asleep smiling."

I laughed. "Deal. But only if you promise not to tease me too much when I start staring into space thinking about him."

"No promises." She hopped up, grabbing blankets and pillows from the closet. "I'm making hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows. And you're telling me every single detail again while we drink it."

We built a nest on the couch-blankets piled high, popcorn refilled, lights dimmed. Zara put on one of those cheesy movies where the leads hate each other until they don't, but I barely watched. Every few minutes, I'd touch my lips again, replaying the way he'd asked permission, the softness of his mouth, the quiet thunder of his heartbeat.

Around 2 a.m., the movie credits rolled. Zara yawned hugely and turned to me.

"You okay?"

I nodded, smiling so wide it hurt. "Better than okay. I feel... hopeful. Like maybe this is the start of something that doesn't end in awkwardness or disappointment."

She reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "It already is. And tomorrow-or whenever he messages you next-you're going to walk into whatever he plans with your head high and your heart open. Because you're not just Riley anymore. You're Rae. And you're ready for this."

I pulled the blanket up to my chin, eyes heavy but happy. "Thank you for being my safe place."

"Always," she whispered. "Now close your eyes and dream about that man. I want to hear all about tomorrow's chapter when you wake up."

I drifted off with the taste of chocolate and starlight still on my tongue, his voice resounding softly in my mind.

Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

~~

The next morning, I decided to go home first, then return to Zara's place. When I got home, the front door was already open.

We lived in one of those fancy neighborhoods with manicured lawns and annoying birds that chirped too loudly.

I kicked off my heels at the door and padded inside quietly, hoping to sneak into my room and sleep off the heat still buzzing in my veins.

But I heard voices. From the living room.

My mom's cheerful laugh. And a deeper voice.

Male.

I paused.

There was someone here?

I adjusted my skirt and cleared my throat before stepping in.

"Hey, Mom, I'm-"

My entire body stopped mid-word.

And my soul left my body.