You sit on the hood of Rafe’s truck, arms wrapped around yourself as the night air settles over you. The streetlights cast long shadows across the empty parking lot, the only sounds being the distant hum of cars and the faint rustling of leaves. He’d run off to “grab something real quick,” leaving you with nothing but your thoughts

Then it hits you.

“Uh oh, I’m falling in love again.”

The realization creeps up on you out of nowhere, settling in the pit of your stomach. It had started small—little things, subtle things. The way he always made sure you walked on the inside of the sidewalk, the way he noticed when you were quiet, the way he never made you feel like you had to fight for his attention. He was Topper’s best friend, and you had sworn to yourself that you wouldn’t do this again. But here you were, sitting in the middle of nowhere, waiting for Rafe like he was something you couldn’t walk away from.

A car door shuts in the distance. Footsteps approach. And when you turn, he’s there—Rafe, walking toward you with that easy confidence, a lopsided grin on his lips. In one hand, he holds a box of chocolates. In the other, a small bouquet of flowers.

“Oh no, I’m falling in love again.”

Your heart clenches, but not with fear this time. The way he looks at you—like you’re something worth cherishing—makes it impossible to ignore. Maybe this isn’t like before. Maybe you were always meant to end up here, in this moment, with him.

Rafe stops in front of you, holding out the flowers with a quiet, almost shy smirk. “Figured you deserved something nice.” he murmurs, watching your reaction carefully.

“Oh, I’m falling in love.” You said to yourself.

The words settled in your mind like a quiet confession, no longer laced with fear but with acceptance. You had fallen. Completely.