Between the Lines

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The golden rays of the morning sun peeked over the horizon, painting soft hues of pink and orange across the sky. The city below was just beginning to stir, but up on the rooftop, everything was still.

She woke to the warmth of his arms around her, his breath steady against her hair. For a moment, she didn't move. The quiet rise and fall of his chest, the way their bodies fit so naturally together—it all felt… right.

Then reality hit.

Oh God. She fell asleep on him.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "You're awake."

She stiffened. "You're awake?"

"Have been for a while." His voice was husky, teasing. "I didn't want to wake you. You looked comfortable."

Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I—You should've pushed me off!"

He grinned, stretching his arms above his head. "Why would I do that when I was perfectly comfortable too?"

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. "This is embarrassing."

He reached out and gently pulled her hands away. "It's not." His voice was softer now, more serious. "Last night was… nice."

She swallowed. "Yeah. It was."

They stayed there for a moment longer, just looking at each other, the unspoken words filling the space between them.

Then, as if the universe decided to break the moment, her stomach let out an unmistakable growl.

He blinked before bursting into laughter. "Wow, was that you?"

She groaned, shoving his shoulder. "Shut up."

"Someone's hungry," he teased, standing up and offering her a hand. "Come on. I know a great breakfast place nearby."

She took his hand, her heart flipping at the effortless way their fingers laced together. "Fine. But if you keep teasing me, I'm making you pay for everything."

He smirked. "Deal."

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(A Morning of Mishaps)

The small café he led her to was tucked into a quiet corner of the city, its scent of fresh pastries and brewed coffee greeting them as they walked in.

She stretched her arms. "This place is cute."

"Yeah, I used to come here a lot." He pulled out a chair for her. "Best pancakes in town."

She sat, raising an eyebrow. "Are you a pancake connoisseur now?"

"Absolutely." He grinned. "I take my breakfast very seriously."

As if to prove his point, he ordered way too much food—stacks of pancakes, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a large coffee. She gave him an incredulous look.

"You do realize you're not feeding an entire army, right?"

He shrugged. "You never know. I might get hungry later."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

As their food arrived, he picked up his fork, dramatically pointing at her. "Alright, I propose a challenge."

She narrowed her eyes. "What kind of challenge?"

"A Truth or Dare challenge," he said, slicing into his pancake. "We answer one question honestly or do whatever dare is given. Loser buys dessert."

She smirked. "You really want free dessert, don't you?"

"Absolutely."

"Fine." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "I'll go first. Truth or dare?"

He thought for a moment. "Truth."

She grinned. "What's your most embarrassing childhood moment?"

He groaned. "Oh, that's easy. I once accidentally walked into the girls' bathroom in middle school and didn't realize it until I was washing my hands—and a group of girls walked in. I panicked and tried to climb out the tiny window."

She gasped before bursting into laughter. "Wait, did you make it out?"

"Oh, I got stuck," he admitted. "They had to call the janitor to help get me down. It was a very traumatic experience."

She wiped a tear from her eye. "That is the funniest thing I've ever heard."

He pointed at her. "Don't get too comfortable. Your turn. Truth or dare?"

She considered. "Dare."

A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes. "I dare you to go to the counter and tell the barista that you're in love with their croissants."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

"Oh, and do it dramatically," he added, smirking.

Rolling her eyes, she stood up and made her way to the counter. Taking a deep breath, she dramatically clutched her chest. "Excuse me, I just needed to say… I have never in my life tasted something as heavenly as your croissants. They have changed my soul."

The barista blinked before bursting into laughter. "Well, I'm glad you like them."

From the corner of her eye, she saw him nearly choking on his coffee from laughter.

As she sat back down, she tossed her napkin at him. "Happy now?"

"Very," he said, wiping a tear from his eye.

Their game continued, each challenge getting more ridiculous. By the time they finished, they were both laughing so hard their stomachs ached.

And just like that, the morning slipped away, filled with lighthearted teasing, stolen glances, and an undeniable warmth between them.

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(The Date That Wasn't Supposed to Happen)

After breakfast, they found themselves wandering through the streets, their fingers brushing now and then as they walked.

"I have an idea," he said suddenly.

She glanced at him. "What?"

"A proper date." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "No interruptions, no weird accidents. Just us."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Are you asking me out?"

He smirked. "Obviously."

She pretended to think. "Hmm. I don't know…"

He gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me."

She laughed. "Okay, fine. Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

An hour later, she found herself at a cozy little bookstore café, the air filled with the scent of old books and fresh coffee. She blinked in surprise.

"You brought me to a bookstore?"

He grinned. "You love books. I figured this was a safe bet."

Her chest warmed at the thoughtfulness behind it. "You actually pay attention."

"Of course I do," he said, bumping her shoulder. "Now, let's find the most ridiculous book title we can."

They wandered through the aisles, laughing at old romance novel covers, reading the cheesiest back covers they could find. At one point, he picked up a book and read aloud in an overly dramatic voice:

"She was a woman of passion. He was a rogue with a dark past. Together, they would defy society!"

She doubled over laughing. "That is horrible."

"I think we should read it."

"No way."

"Yes way. We'll take turns reading it to each other."

She groaned but couldn't hide her smile. "Fine."

They spent the next hour flipping through pages, reading dramatic lines in ridiculous accents, completely lost in their own little world.

And as she sat there, watching him laugh, seeing the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, she realized something.

She was falling for him.

Hard.

And this time, she wasn't scared.

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