Scene: Jiji & Rio — “The Almost Kiss”

Jiji adjusted her earrings in the reflection of the restaurant window, her breath catching slightly. Blind date, Cece had insisted. You’re 25, you can’t let one heartbreak ruin your whole romantic life. And Jiji had finally agreed.

But when the hostess led her to the table, her heart stopped.

Rio DeLuca was already there, leaning back in his chair, fingers idly toying with a water glass, and wearing the exact smirk that used to drive her mad.

Her first love.

Her worst heartbreak.

And clearly, her blind date.

He stood the moment he saw her, like he always used to, and for a split second, something ancient and electric moved between them—before they both blinked it away.

“Jiji,” he said, polite. Controlled. “Didn’t expect you.”

“Rio,” she replied with a small smile, sliding into the chair across from him. “Me neither.”

They both pretended not to notice the irony. Not to remember.

They didn’t talk about being twelve and in love. Or sixteen and fighting in her parents’ driveway. Or seventeen and breaking each other’s hearts with words neither of them had meant.

Instead, they talked about work, about Cece being sneaky, about the new café opening downtown. He made her laugh. She rolled her eyes like she used to. He watched her like he never stopped.

And when dinner ended, he paid before she could argue and walked her home, the familiar silence stretching like a string between them.

Outside her apartment building, the air was warm but tense. Jiji turned her key in the lock, then pushed the door open with a soft creak.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said, her voice quiet.

But before she could take a step inside, Rio reached over and gently pushed the door shut behind her.

She turned to face him, startled.

He stepped closer—not touching, just close enough that she felt the heat of him, the weight of all the years between them.

And with his mouth inches from hers, voice low and steady, Rio said:

“I haven’t been with anyone since you. No hookups. No girlfriends. No kisses. Nothing.”

Then he stepped back.

Didn’t ask for anything.

Didn’t try to kiss her.

Just looked at her like he had at thirteen—like she was the sun and every stupid planet was him.