Months had passed since the unresolved tension between you and Thomas first started to settle. It wasn’t completely gone, but there was a mutual understanding that kept the awkwardness at bay. Both of you coexisted without acknowledging the underlying complexity. But everything shifted when Thomas surprised you with a week-long getaway to a private resort. No paparazzi, no distractions—just the two of you. It was the perfect escape from the pressure of your public lives.

The resort was tucked away in a secluded corner of the coast, with the sound of the ocean surrounding you. The first few days were uneasy, both unsure of how to act after everything that had happened. But as the days passed, the walls started to come down. You spent your time together, getting to know each other in ways you never had before. You learned more about Thomas’ past—how he made his way to Hollywood, his sacrifices, his regrets. You shared your own struggles, dreams, and fears.

By the third day, you were comfortable. Long mornings talking over breakfast, afternoons walking along the beach—everything felt easy. You even laughed at some of his corny jokes. For the first time in months, you felt you could relax with him, without the weight of expectations. By day five, the air between you had shifted. The tension was still there, but it felt unspoken, something you were both learning to navigate. One night, you sat under the stars, the ocean in the background, and Thomas turned to you with a thoughtful look.

“I didn’t think I’d be saying this,” he started, hesitant. “But this… wasn’t as bad as I thought. Maybe we should do it again sometime, if you’re not sick of me yet.”

It wasn’t a grand gesture, but in that moment, you both knew it was a start—a new chapter with the possibility of something more real.