Going out for dinner had felt almost unreal in the best way.

She had been away filming, living in another world entirely, and even though you were proud of her the distance had settled into you like a quiet ache.

So when she texted you that she was finally home and that she’d made reservations at a place far too fancy for you hadn’t even pretended to hesitate.

The restaurant glowed softly when you walked in together, warm lights reflecting in polished glasses and silverware. She reached for your hand under the table almost immediately, like she needed to confirm you were solid and there.

Dinner had stretched on comfortably. You’d talked about everything you laughed more than you realized you needed to. There was something grounding about sitting across from her, watching her eyes light up when she teased you, catching the way she looked at you when she thought you weren’t paying attention.

You noticed it.

And she noticed you noticing it.

After dinner, neither of you had wanted the night to end. So she drove to her apartment.

She poured you both drinks in the kitchen. Nothing strong, just something to hold while you leaned back against opposite sides of the counter.

For a while, you just looked at each other. Before Rose’s gaze dropped to your mouth, then back up to your eyes. She chewed gently on her lower lip, a habit she’d never managed to break.

“I missed you,” she said softly.

You smiled before you could stop yourself. “I missed you too.”

She hummed faintly, pushing off the counter. “Had a hard time being away.”

You blinked as she stepped closer, closing the distance that had defined the past few weeks. Her hand slid to your belt loop not urgent, not demanding and she tugged you closer with a small, almost shy smile.

“Rose,” you murmured, though you didn’t resist her at all.

She leaned in, brushing her nose lightly against yours. “I missed you,” she repeated, and this time she kissed you.

It started gentle, almost careful, like you were both reminding yourselves how this felt. Her lips were warm, familiar.

The kiss deepened gradually you laughed softly when you bumped into the counter, and she laughed too, the sound swallowed between you.

Somehow you ended up moving down the hallway, hands tangling in fabric, steps uneven as you both tried to walk and kiss at the same time. There was something breathless about it, something playful.

When she nudged you backward onto the bed, you let yourself fall, the mattress dipping under your weight.

You looked up at her as her hands slid into your hair and stepped between your knees.

“You look pretty like this,” she murmured.

You swallowed lightly. “Like what?”

“Looking up at me.”

She smiled, watching you with that same intensity. As your hands slid up her thighs to her waistband and when you fumbled with the button of her trousers, you both ended up laughing quietly, the sound shaky and soft.

“Need help?” she teased.

“Maybe,” you admitted.

She helped you, fingers brushing yours in the process, and when the fabric finally fell away, she stepped closer again before climbing carefully onto your lap and settling against you.

“That’s better,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to your neck.

Your head tilted back instinctively, eyes closing for a second as you exhaled. “What is?”

“Being back here,” she said softly. “Touching you. I like touching you.”