The apartment was quiet.
The night felt slower now.
Jay stood near the door while Keifer slipped on his jacket. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
It was late.
Too late.
But neither of them wanted the night to end.
Keifer glanced at her.
"You should sleep," he said softly.
Jay crossed her arms. "You're leaving already?"
"It's almost one in the morning."
"And?"
He looked at her.
Her hair still slightly damp. Pajamas soft and loose. No heels. No cold expression.
Just Jay.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said quietly.
He reached for the door.
Jay moved before she even thought.
Her hand wrapped around his wrist.
Warm.
Firm.
Keifer stopped.
Slowly… he looked down at her hand.
Then at her.
Jay stepped closer.
"You didn't come all this way just to leave so soon."
Her voice was soft.
But there was something underneath.
Something darker.
Hungrier.
Keifer didn't move.
"You want me to stay?" he asked quietly.
Jay didn't let go.
"Do you want to go?"
Silence.
Heavy. Slow.
Keifer stepped closer.
Now they were standing inches apart again.
His voice dropped.
"No."
Jay swallowed.
"Then stay."
The words came out softer than she expected.
Keifer's eyes darkened.
"You sure?"
Jay nodded slowly.
"I don't want this night to end yet."
Something in Keifer shifted.
His free hand lifted slowly.
He brushed his fingers along her arm.
Soft.
Careful.
Jay's breath caught.
"You don't make this easy," he murmured.
"I'm not trying to."
His hand slid gently to her waist.
Not pulling.
Just resting.
Like asking permission.
Jay didn't move away.
Instead, she stepped closer.
Her fingers tightened slightly around his wrist.
"You said you missed me," she whispered.
"I did."
"You still do?"
His voice dropped lower.
"Even when I'm standing right in front of you."
Jay's heart skipped.
She leaned closer.
"You're dangerous when you say things like that."
"You started it."
She almost smiled.
"Good."
Keifer leaned down slowly.
Their foreheads touched.
Quiet.
Warm.
Jay's hand slowly slid from his wrist to his hand.
She laced her fingers with his.
"You can stay," she whispered.
Keifer exhaled softly.
"Okay."
He kicked off his shoes quietly.
Jay smiled a little.
"You're really staying."
"I am."
She tugged his hand gently.
"Come on."
They walked further into the apartment.
Slow.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Jay sat on the couch.
Keifer sat beside her.
Close.
Very close.
Jay leaned her head lightly on his shoulder.
Keifer stilled for a moment… then relaxed.
His arm moved around her slowly.
Jay closed her eyes.
"You know," she murmured, "I like you like this."
"Like what?"
"Quiet. Close. Just… here."
Keifer rested his cheek lightly against her hair.
"I like you like this too."
The room stayed quiet.
No phones.
No work.
No problems.
Just them.
Jay shifted slightly, turning toward him.
Her fingers played lightly with the edge of his sleeve.
"You really couldn't wait until tomorrow?" she asked softly.
"No."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
Because he didn't want to lie.
"Because I kept thinking about you."
Her heart softened.
"Me walking into your office?"
"Yeah."
"You looked scared."
"I was."
She smiled.
"You still are?"
"No."
"Why?"
His thumb brushed her hand gently.
"Because now you're here."
Jay leaned closer.
Their lips met again.
Slow.
Soft.
But deeper this time.
Like they had nowhere else to be.
Nowhere else to go.
When they pulled apart, Jay rested her forehead against his again.
"I'm glad you came," she whispered.
"Me too."
Outside, the night stayed quiet.
Inside, neither of them noticed the time passing.
Because for the first time in days…
Everything felt calm again.