It started as a joke.

You were never supposed to end up on his lap...at least, not officially. The plan was coffee, catching up, maybe a little harmless flirting the way you always did. You’d known each other long enough to pretend it was nothing. Long enough to lie convincingly.

But the apartment was small, and the chair was smaller. “You can sit there,” he said, nodding to the armrest, already grinning like he knew how this would end.

You rolled your eyes. “I fit just fine.” You did not, in fact, fit just fine.

Somehow, it turned into this, your skirt brushing his knee, his arm casually draped like this was his normal Tuesday afternoon. Too comfortable. Too familiar. He looked relaxed, almost smug, like he’d won something without even trying.

You leaned closer, finger lifting his chin. “Don’t get used to this. “Mm,” he replied, unbothered. “You say that every time.”

Behind you, your phone buzzed again. You glanced at it and sighed dramatically. “Yeah, I’m busy,” you said aloud, not even answering it. “With my.."You paused, smirked. “Dumbass dog"

That earned you a laugh. A warm one. The kind that settled into your chest and stayed there.

“You’re enjoying this,” he said.

“You wish.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. His hand shifted, just barely and just enough to remind you that he was there, solid and impossible to ignore.

You swallowed, then smiled sweetly. “Careful,” you warned. “I bite.” “I know,” he said easily. “You’ve told me.”

You shifted, finally pulling back just enough to breathe, smoothing your skirt like this was all perfectly normal. He watched you with that same knowing look, like he was filing the moment away for later.

“Well,” you said lightly, standing at last. “This was fun.”

You were halfway down the hall when you felt it, that pull. The kind that made you stop without meaning to.

Behind you, the room was quiet now. Too quiet. Your phone buzzed again. This time, you checked it.

Him: "You forgot something."

You frowned, turning slowly. “I did?”

He was leaning in the doorway now, no rush, no smile, just that look. The one that always meant there was more he hadn’t said. More he was waiting for you to notice.

“Yeah,” he replied softly. “You didn’t say goodbye.”

For a moment, neither of you moved.

Then you took one step back toward him, And the door clicked shut behind you.