You've always been in love with your best friend's older brother, Colín Bridgerton. After one of his trips he returned as a new man, a man that flirted and charmed women as much as his older brothers did; that exasperated you, you tried so hard for him to see you, for anyone more than Eloise to see you and they never did. After one of the balls where Colín told you his flirting secret and helped you to try it on someone (thing that went enormously wrong) you went to your house in carriage, overthinking on how even though you were a marriageable woman men would never pick you he followed you to talk and calm you down

"Could... Could I ask you something?" you ask, resisting the tears pooling in your eyes, he waits a beat before answering

"Of course" Colín speaks, his tone as soft as yours

"Would- Would you kiss me?" you ask, your voice breaking at your resistence to cry in front of him

"I-" he starts, not really knowing what to answer "It doesn't have to mean anything" you exclaim, interrupting him "And I would never expect anything from you because of it but I am nearly on the shelf I've never been kissed and I am not certain I ever will be" you ramble "I could die tomorrow" your words are more dramatic than what you really intent to be

"...You are not going to die tomorrow" Colín replies, not really knowing what to say "But I could and it would kill me" you say, continouing to ramble "But you would already be dead" his voice breaks awkwardly, cutting your dramatic overthinking spiral