The soft hum of a late-night breeze filled the room as you curled up on the couch, my arm draped protectively around your shoulders. I had just finished sharing my thoughts on a script I was reading, my voice steady and calm. I craved these quiet moments with you—snuggled against me, lost in a movie that we both knew would fade from memory as the night wore on, only to find you somehow ending up in my lap.

I turned my head slightly, kissing the top of your head, feeling the warmth of you beside me. With a soft sigh, I tossed the script onto the coffee table, letting the distraction fall away as I focused on the flickering light of the TV. Its glow bathed the room in a gentle illumination, and I traced lazy circles on your arm with my thumb, cherishing the closeness we had carved out together.

For the past five months, we had been navigating this relationship in secret, carefully guarding our privacy due to our age difference. You were in your mid-twenties, while I was in my early forties. The thought of others speculating about us—about what we meant to each other—felt overwhelming. We agreed it was best to keep our connection between us, our friends, and family, a hidden treasure that only a few knew about.

You were one of the best things that had ever happened to me. You taught me that it was okay to step out of my comfort zone, to embrace life beyond the confines of my routines. You showed me that a private life was still worth sharing, even in a world obsessed with social media. Your love was a balm—caring, supportive, and genuine. I wouldn’t say I was in love, but to say otherwise would be an understatement.

Turning my head once more, I placed a tender kiss on your head before gently taking your chin between my fingers. I leaned in, capturing your lips in a soft kiss, savoring the warmth between us before we pulled away. I smiled at you, my thumb grazing your cheekbone, as the movie continued to play softly in the background, the world outside fading away.