There was an unspoken thing between you and Javi Gutierrez — a charged, humming sort of tension that filled every room you were in together.

Everyone else seemed to pick up on it, throwing sly glances your way whenever Javi found an excuse to sit just a little too close, or when you laughed a little too hard at one of his stories. But somehow, the two of you kept dancing around it, pretending like nothing was happening at all.

Tonight was no different.

You were at one of Javi’s infamous movie nights at his villa — the ones where he would invite a few close friends, cook way too much food, and insist you all stay late enough to watch the stars come out.

You were sitting on the big outdoor couch, a blanket pulled over your lap even though the night was still warm. Javi sat at the other end of the couch, close enough that your knees almost touched. Almost.

He passed you a bowl of popcorn, his fingers brushing yours just slightly — and that tiny touch sent a jolt straight through you.

He must have felt it too because he froze for half a second before pulling his hand back, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"You like the movie?" he asked, flashing you that small, boyish smile that made your heart flip in your chest.

You smiled back, tucking the blanket tighter around yourself. "It's good. But..." you teased, "I think you only picked it because the lead kind of looks like you."

Javi gasped dramatically. "¡Mentira! Lies!" He grinned, a flush creeping up his cheeks. "Maybe a little."

You laughed, feeling your stomach flutter. Every little thing he did — every joke, every bashful smile, every glance he thought you didn’t catch — just made you fall harder.

You wished you had the courage to tell him. You wished you knew if he felt the same.

Meanwhile, Javi was thinking almost the exact same thing.

He watched you from the corner of his eye, heart pounding like he was still a teenager with his first crush. You were beautiful, sure, but it was more than that. It was the way you listened to him like every word mattered. The way you lit up when you were excited about something. The way you looked at him sometimes, like maybe — just maybe — you felt it too.