04

But for now, I decided to focus on this moment, the warmth of friendship filling the air around us as we walked side by side, ready to enjoy whatever the day had in store.

As we settled into a cozy corner at the café, I could feel the familiar comfort of our friendship enveloping us. I glanced at the menu, but my mind kept drifting back to Jake.

"So, I have some news," I said, trying to sound casual as I set my menu down. I wanted to gauge his reaction before diving into the topic. "I think I might have a suitor."

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? Is that so? Do tell."

I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach but pressed on. "Yeah, his name is Harvey Lee. He's British and actually younger than me. He'll be landing in town on Saturday, and I think he wants to meet up."

Jake's expression changed slightly, and I couldn't read what was behind it. "Harvey Lee? British, huh? What do you think about him?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light. "I don't know yet. He's really charming and has a great sense of humor. It's nice to have someone interested in me, especially after everything with you. But I just thought you should know since I didn't want to keep it from you."

"Thanks for telling me," Jake said, his gaze steady on mine. "Are you planning to go out with him?"

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "I think I might. But I want you to meet him first, just so you can see what he's like. I don't want you to think I'm rushing into anything."

A flicker of something crossed Jake's face, but it was gone so quickly that I couldn't decipher it. "Yeah, sure. I'd like that. Just to make sure he's not some weirdo," he said, a hint of humor in his tone that eased the tension.

I laughed, grateful for his support. "Exactly! I need my best friend to approve. You know how it is."

"Of course," he replied, a small smile forming. "So, when are you thinking of introducing us?"

I pondered for a moment. "Maybe later this afternoon after Harvey arrives? We could all hang out together. I think it could be fun."

"Sounds good to me," Jake said, and I couldn't help but feel a bit of relief wash over me.

Just then, our orders arrived, breaking the momentary seriousness of our conversation. As we dug into our food, I noticed how easy it was to slip back into our playful banter, the lingering tension from before seemingly forgotten, at least for now.

But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that bringing Harvey into the picture could change things between Jake and me, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for that. Still, the thrill of new beginnings was hard to resist.

"By the way," I said, shifting the topic, "how's Emily? Is she still around?"

Jake sighed lightly, and I could see a flicker of contemplation in his eyes. "Yeah, she is. We're doing okay. Just trying to figure things out, you know?"

I nodded, understanding. "I get it. Relationships can be complicated."

"Yeah," he replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. "But I'm glad you're doing well. You deserve to be happy."

"Thanks, Jake," I said, genuinely appreciating his words. It felt good to share this moment with him, even if the road ahead was uncertain.

As we finished our meal, I felt a renewed sense of hope for both my budding connection with Harvey and my friendship with Jake. Whatever happened next, I was ready to face it head-on.

"Harvey is in his second year of university, while I'm about to take the board exam. Do you think I'm too old for him?" I asked Jake, genuinely curious about his thoughts.

He paused, considering my question. "I don't think so. Age is just a number, right? What matters is whether you both connect and understand each other."

I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "I guess you're right. It's just that I've always felt a bit out of place being older than most of my friends, and now with Harvey being younger..."

Jake shrugged. "If you click, then it shouldn't matter. Besides, being older can be an advantage. You have more life experience and maturity. Just make sure he's on the same page as you when it comes to what you want."

"That's true," I replied, appreciating his perspective. "I just don't want to feel like I'm babysitting him or something."

Jake chuckled. "Exactly! Just make sure he's not too immature. You don't want to be dealing with someone who can't handle a conversation beyond video games and TikTok."

"Right?" I laughed. "I'll definitely keep that in mind. I think I'll get a sense of his maturity when we hang out later this afternoon."

"Sounds like a plan," he said, finishing his drink. "Just be yourself and have fun. If it's meant to be, it'll happen."

"Thanks, Jake," I said, feeling grateful for his support. "I really appreciate it. It's nice to know you're in my corner."

"Always," he replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

As we continued chatting, I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I had Jake's friendship and support, no matter how complicated things got with Harvey or anyone else in my life.

A few minutes later, while we were immersed in our conversation, my phone buzzed, and I noticed it was Harvey calling.

"I better take this," I said, glancing at Jake before answering. I swiped to accept the call and brought the phone to my ear. "Hey, Harvey! How's it going?"

"Hey, Lia! I just landed at the airport and wanted to let you know," he replied, his voice bright and cheerful. "I can't wait to meet you!"

"That's great to hear! Are you already on your way?" I asked, trying to contain my excitement.

"Yeah, I'm grabbing a taxi now. I should be at  the café in about 30 minutes. Is that okay?" Harvey said.

"Absolutely! I'll be waiting for you," I said, glancing at Jake, who was watching me with an amused expression. "I'll see you soon!"

After ending the call, I turned back to Jake. "Harvey's here! He'll be here in about half an hour."

"Nice! You're finally going to meet him in person," Jake said, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity. "Are you nervous?"

"A little," I admitted, feeling a flutter of excitement in my stomach. "I just hope we hit it off as well in person as we do over text."

"I'm sure you will. Just be yourself," he encouraged. "And remember, if things don't go as planned, it's not the end of the world. There are plenty of fish in the sea."

"Thanks, Jake. I really appreciate your support," I said, feeling grateful to have him by my side, especially during this transition. "You always know how to ease my nerves."

"Anytime," he replied with a smile. "Now, go get ready! You want to look your best for this guy, right?"

"Right!" I laughed, feeling a rush of determination. "I'll be back in a few!"

As I hurried to gather my things, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety about what the day would bring.

I quickly ran to the bathroom, scanning through my bag. I wanted to look nice for Harvey, but I also wanted to feel comfortable. Luckily, I brought a simple but cute sundress that flattered my figure without being too flashy. I paired it with some sandals that I also brought in case of emergency like this and brushed my hair into loose waves.

Glancing at the clock, I realized I had just a few minutes left. I quickly applied some light makeup, making sure not to overdo it. A swipe of lip gloss and a touch of mascara would suffice. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm.

As I headed back to my seat, I saw Jake still lounging on the seat, scrolling through his phone. "You look great!" he said, looking up and giving me an approving nod. "Very summer chic."

"Thanks!" I replied, feeling a little more confident. "Just trying to make a good impression."

"Have you thought about what you want to do when he gets here?" Jake asked.

"Since were already at a café and this is where we gonna meet, I was thinking we could grab some snacks and maybe take a walk around the park after. It's a nice day out," I suggested.

"Sounds like a solid plan. Just remember, be yourself. If he's interested, it'll show." Jake said.

"Yeah, you're right," I said, feeling the butterflies in my stomach flutter even more. Just then, the door opened and came in a tall, curly brown hair guy, holding a bouquet of flowers, as he wave at my direction and that made my heart raced. "That must be him!"

"Go get it!" Jake urged, giving me a supportive push toward the door.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to find Harvey standing there, looking a bit nervous but excited. He was taller than I expected, with tousled hair and a friendly smile that lit up his face.

"Lia!" he exclaimed, stepping forward to greet me. "It's so nice to finally meet you!"

"Hi, Harvey! Welcome to my hometown!" I said, trying to sound enthusiastic despite the nerves bubbling inside me. "Come sit down, i liked you to meet someone"

As he stepped inside, I noticed Jake watching from his seat. I felt a little awkward, but I was determined to make this work. "Harvey, this is my friend Jake," I introduced.

"Nice to meet you, man," Harvey said, extending his hand to shake Jake's. Jake gave a polite nod and returned the handshake.

"Likewise," Jake replied, maintaining his friendly demeanor.

"So, what's the plan?" Harvey asked, looking between us.

"We just ordered some snacks for you to try here. After that, we were thinking of heading to the park for a stroll," I said. "Does that sound good to you?"

"Sounds perfect!" Harvey smiled, and I felt a rush of relief. Maybe this wouldn't be so awkward after all. "Oh, before I forget. These are for you, my lady" he said while handing the bouquet to me.

I was a bit of awe when he did that. "Aww~ you shouldn't have. These are wonderful Harvey, thank you" I said while giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Anything for you, I want you to know that I'm serious about courting you; that's why I'm doing this, and besides, I want to give you what you really deserve. The love that you give to me will be the same amount of love I will return for you." He said while tapping my nose.

I could feel Jake's eyes on me, and I hoped he would be okay with the situation. I was grateful for his support, but I also wondered how he truly felt about me spending time with another guy.

I chatted with Harvey about his journey here and his studies. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me, and I was excited to learn more about him.

We exited the café then arrived at the park, I chose a bench under a large tree, its shade offering a welcome relief from the sun. We settled down, and I watched as Harvey took out some snacks he had brought along.

"So, what's your favorite thing to do around here?" he asked, looking eager to connect.

"Well, there are lots of fun spots to explore," I replied, feeling more at ease. "I love going to the beach and hiking when I can. How about you?"

As we chatted, I felt a warm sense of comfort growing between us. But every now and then, I caught a glimpse of Jake watching from a distance, and I couldn't help but wonder how he was really feeling about all of this.

"Harvey, why don't you go talk to Jake? That's the reason why he's here—he wants to get to know you too," Lia suggested, pointing toward Jake.

Harvey looked over at Jake, who was still sitting a few feet away, scrolling through his phone. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!" he said, a bit eager to include Jake in the conversation.

"Hey, Jake!" Harvey called out, standing up and waving him over. "Come join us!"

Jake looked up, surprised but smiled as he got to his feet. "Sure, why not?" he replied, walking over to the bench where Lia and Harvey were seated.

As he approached, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I wanted Harvey and Jake to hit it off, but I was also worried about the dynamic between the three of us.

"Lia was just telling me a bit about you. I hope you don't mind me hanging out with her today." Harvey said.

"Not at all. I'm just here to support her," Jake said with a casual smile, his tone friendly but somewhat guarded.

"Awesome! So, what do you like to do around here?" Harvey asked, trying to bridge the conversation.

"I mostly hang out with friends and study," Jake replied. "And I'm pretty into sports. I play soccer whenever I can."

"Cool! I've always wanted to try soccer," Harvey said, his eyes lighting up. "Maybe you could teach me sometime?"

"Definitely!" Jake agreed, relaxing a bit more now. "It's a lot of fun."

As the conversation flowed, I felt relieved to see them getting along. I listened as they discussed sports and classes, the tension easing as they found common ground.

Watching them interact made me realize how important it was for my friends to connect, especially given the complicated history Jake and I shared. I hoped that this would help solidify their friendship, and I felt grateful that Jake was being so supportive.

After a few minutes, Jake turned to me with a slight smile. "So, how are you enjoying your time with Harvey so far?" he asked.

"It's been great! I think we're getting to know each other better," I replied, feeling hopeful. "What do you think, Harvey?"

"I think it's going really well! Lia's great company," Harvey said, shooting me a grin that made my heart flutter a bit.

The three of us continued to chat, and for a moment, everything felt light and carefree. I was glad to have both of them in my life, and I hoped that this day would mark the beginning of something new and exciting for all of us.

"I better head out, you lovebirds. My girlfriend and I have plans, so take care of Lia for me, okay, Harvey? I'm leaving her in your care," Jake said, glancing at Harvey with a smirk.

Lia rolled her eyes playfully. "You make it sound like I can't take care of myself, Jake."

Jake laughed, waving them off as he headed for the door. "Just looking out for you, Lia. Don't let him sweep you off your feet too quickly!" With that, he left the café, the door chiming softly behind him.

Lia turned her attention back to Harvey, who was watching her with a mix of curiosity and nervousness. "So, where do you want to start?" she asked, eager to bridge the gap between them.

Harvey smiled, slightly relieved. "Well, maybe you could tell me a bit more about yourself? Jake mentioned you're studying for your board exams."

"Yeah, it's been a lot of work, but I'm excited about it," Lia replied, feeling a flutter of anticipation. "What about you? What are you studying?"

As they continued talking, Lia found herself relaxing. Despite the earlier tension, the prospect of getting to know Harvey felt refreshing.

"I'm glad I got to meet you in person. I've been dying to see you for months, and now it finally came true," Harvey said, holding Lia's hand gently.

Lia felt a warmth spread through her at his words. "Really? I didn't know you were that eager to meet me," she replied, a shy smile crossing her face.

Harvey chuckled softly. "Absolutely!"

Lia raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Wow"

"Yeah, I see how you're really dedicated to your studies. It's nice to finally see for myself," Harvey said, his gaze sincere.

Lia felt a flutter of happiness at his compliment. "Thanks, that means a lot."

"You're very much welcome," Harvey replied, squeezing her hand lightly. "So, what do you like to do when you're not studying for those exams?"

Lia relaxed into their conversation, her earlier worries fading away as they talked about their interests, hopes, and dreams. It felt nice to be in this moment, and she couldn't help but feel excited about where this connection might lead.

"When I'm not studying for my exams, I like to chill and relax my mind, just like this, for example," Lia said as she leaned against Harvey's shoulder.

Harvey smiled and wrapped his arms around Lia's shoulders, pulling her a little closer. "I get that. It's important to take a break and enjoy the little moments. Plus, spending time with someone you like makes it even better," he replied, glancing down at her with a warm expression.

Lia felt a flutter in her chest at his words. She could feel his heartbeat through the light fabric of his shirt, and it gave her a sense of comfort. "Yeah, it really does. I've been so focused on my studies that I sometimes forget to just enjoy life."

Harvey nodded in agreement. "It's easy to get caught up in everything, especially when you're preparing for something big like your board exam. But you deserve to have fun too."

Lia smiled, appreciating his understanding. "Thanks, Harvey. I feel lucky to have met you. It's nice to have someone who gets it."

He chuckled softly. "And I feel lucky to be here with you. How about we make the most of our time together while you're not studying? We could explore the city or grab some coffee."

Lia's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect! I'd love that."

Harvey hugged her tightly, enjoying the warmth of her presence, and Lia couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. They both stayed in that comfortable embrace for a moment, savoring the peacefulness of the evening.

After a while, Lia pulled back slightly, glancing up at Harvey. "You know, it's getting pretty late. Maybe we should head back to my house?" she suggested. "I can make us some snacks, and we can continue our chat there."

Harvey smiled, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "That sounds great! I'd love to hang out more and get to know you better."

Lia nodded, feeling excited about the idea. "Okay, let's go then! It's just a short walk from here."

They walked side by side, chatting and laughing, the evening air cool and refreshing. As they approached her house, Lia felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness about what the night might hold.

"You have a lovely house," Harvey said as he followed Lia into the kitchen, admiring the cozy atmosphere. He stepped closer and gently back-hugged her, resting his chin on her shoulder. "And so does the owner."

Lia felt a warm blush creep across her cheeks at his compliment. "Thank you! I've always loved this place. It feels like home." She reached for a couple of snacks in the cupboard, trying to maintain her composure despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Harvey chuckled softly. "Well, it definitely has a welcoming vibe. I can see why you like it here." He let go of her gently but kept his presence close, leaning against the counter beside her.

"What do you usually like to snack on?" he asked, watching her as she grabbed some chips and salsa.

"Pretty much anything," Lia replied, a smile spreading across her face. "But I love chips and salsa, especially when I'm hanging out with friends."

"Perfect! Chips and salsa it is, then," he said, reaching for the bowl as she poured some into it.

As they prepared their snacks, the conversation flowed effortlessly, and Lia felt a sense of ease with Harvey that made her smile.

"So, second year in university. What are you studying?" Lia asked, turning to face Harvey with genuine curiosity.

"I'm majoring in Environmental Science," he replied, leaning against the counter with a thoughtful expression. "I've always been passionate about nature and sustainability. I want to make a difference in the world, you know?"

Lia nodded, impressed. "That sounds amazing! We need more people focused on that. What made you choose that path?"

Harvey smiled, clearly excited to share. "Well, I grew up in the countryside, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. But I also saw how pollution and climate change affected my hometown. I just felt that I had to do something about it. What about you? What are you studying?"

"I'm in Elementary Education," Lia said, her enthusiasm shining through. "I want to be a teacher and help shape young minds. I believe education can really empower kids."

"That's really admirable," Harvey said, his eyes lighting up. "Teaching is such an important job. You must have a lot of patience."

Lia laughed lightly. "I try! It can be challenging, but I love it. Seeing kids learn and grow is so rewarding."

As they continued chatting, Lia felt a connection growing between them, enjoying the ease of their conversation.

"Do you live alone?" Harvey asked as he gently guided Lia to the couch, sitting down beside her. He took her hand in his, holding it warmly as they settled in.

Lia nodded, glancing around her cozy living room. "Yeah, I do. My parents moved abroad a few years ago for work, and I've been living here ever since. It was hard at first, but I've gotten used to it. The house feels empty sometimes, but it's peaceful too."

Harvey squeezed her hand lightly, his eyes full of understanding. "That must be tough. I can't imagine what it's like living alone, especially when you're going through so much with exams and everything else."

"It has its moments," Lia admitted, giving him a small smile. "But it's also helped me become more independent. I've learned to take care of myself in ways I didn't think I could."

"I admire that," Harvey said sincerely, his thumb brushing over her hand as he spoke. "It takes a lot of strength to handle things on your own. But you don't always have to, you know? I'm here now, and I want to support you however I can."

Lia's heart fluttered at his words, and she leaned in a little closer. "Thank you, Harvey. That means a lot to me. I guess I've always been so used to doing things on my own that I forget I don't have to."

Harvey smiled softly, still holding her hand. "You're not alone anymore, Lia."

"I know we've been talking for months now and finally met in person just a while ago, but can I ask your permission to kiss you?" Harvey said, his expression earnest as he searched Lia's eyes for a response.

Lia felt her heart race at his words. She was taken aback by his straightforwardness but appreciated his respect for her feelings. "Wow, um... that's a bold question," she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Harvey smiled, a mix of nervousness and anticipation in his gaze. "I just wanted to make sure you're comfortable. I really like you, and I've been looking forward to this moment."

Taking a deep breath, Lia felt a warmth spread through her. "I like you too, Harvey. It's just... I didn't expect you to ask so directly. I appreciate it."

Harvey nodded, his eyes softening. "I didn't want to assume anything. I respect you too much for that."

Lia felt a wave of affection wash over her. "Okay, I think I'd like that. You can kiss me."

A smile broke across Harvey's face as he leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wanted to. Lia's heart raced as their lips met softly, the kiss gentle and sweet. It was a moment she had anticipated, and it felt right.

As they pulled back, Harvey's eyes sparkled with happiness. "That was nice," he said, grinning. "I'm really glad we met."

Lia smiled back, feeling a mix of excitement and comfort. "Me too. I'm really glad you're here."