the air in abby’s car was thick, the kind of silence that buzzed after a first date where neither of you wanted it to end. the streetlights spilled through the windshield, cutting across her face in soft strips of gold. she had one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting nervously on her thigh, like she didn’t know what to do with herself.

"so…" she said finally, glancing at you with that half smirk of hers. "guess that went alright, huh?"

you laughed, biting your lip. "better than alright." her eyes lingered on your mouth for a second too long, and you could see the hesitation in her. abby wasn’t someone who usually hesitated. she was all muscle and certainty when it came to everything else. but here, with you? she was careful. like she didn’t want to mess it up.

"can i—" she started, then cut herself off, shaking her head. "forget it."

"no," you said, leaning in a little, emboldened by the way her voice dipped. "say it."

she swallowed, her jaw flexing. "can i kiss you?"

the way she asked. low, almost unsure—sent your heart racing. instead of answering, you leaned across the console and kissed her first.

abby made a surprised sound against your lips, but her hand immediately found your waist, pulling you closer. the kiss deepened fast, her intensity matching the way she threw herself into everything else. fierce but controlled, like she was holding back just enough not to overwhelm you.

you ended up half in her lap, the steering wheel pressing awkwardly against your side, but neither of you cared. her fingers slid into your hair, tugging gently, and she murmured against your mouth, "fuck, i’ve wanted this all night."