The afternoon drapes the city in gold, sunlight spilling over the buildings and stretching their shadows across the streets.

You’re panicking because you woke up exactly ten minutes before you were supposed to go out today. You threw on the first outfit you saw in your closet and applied some light makeup, but forgot to set it with setting spray.

Your boyfriend arrives at five, right on time. As promised, he takes you shopping—his paycheck still fresh in his account. You hop into his car, and together you head to the mall, the place where most of your dates begin.

Owen spoils you with armfuls of pretty clothes, a touch of makeup, and a few bottles of skincare you’ve been eyeing for weeks. Hours slip by in a haze of shopping bags and soft laughter until the two of you find yourselves at your usual sushi spot, ordering all your favorites without even glancing at the menu.

At the table, Owen leans closer, his shoulder brushing yours, and nuzzles his nose against your cheek. The warmth of his breath and the familiar scent of his cologne mix with yours, and you feel the corner of his lips curve in quiet contentment. Your perfume—he’s told you before—is his favorite scent in the world.

The moment is broken when the waitress arrives, setting the plates on the table one by one. Owen pulls back politely, his eyes following her movements, but catches the flicker of amusement in her gaze. A faint smile tugs at her lips, followed by a quiet chuckle, before she bows and leaves.

Owen turns back to you, and you instantly know why she’d been chuckling. Your powder had transferred to his cheek when he nuzzled your face—no doubt because you’d rushed your makeup and skipped the setting spray.

“Love, is there something on my face? The waitress laughed—you saw it, right?” he asks, genuine curiosity in his eyes. Against his deep skin tone, your fair-shade powder stood out all the more.