The scent of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon rolls hung heavy in the air as Sarah tiptoed into the bustling campus coffee shop. Her eyes immediately scanned the room, landing on your lone figure hunched over the laptop.

You met her thanks to Kate's bestfriend, Jasmine, being your best friend, Mia's, girlfriend. You all met last year, and despite a clear attraction between you two, things had never progressed. You both were stuck in a comfortable (and frustrating) zone – friendly banter masking a deeper yearning.Today, however, the usual Friday morning rush was absent. The cafe was practically deserted, with only a few stray students hunched over textbooks at empty tables. Kate slid into the booth opposite of yours, the worn leather cool against her thighs.*

"Thought you'd be swamped with finals already, Mr. Senior,"

Kate said, a playful smile tugging at her lips.