My pulse stuttered, and for a split second?—
I wanted him to.
My chest felt constricted, and the moment stretched, balanced on a knife-edge. I didn’t move, didn’t step forwards.
I didn’t step back either. I was acutely aware of everything—my own body, the space between us, the possibility hanging there, waiting.
Stefan seemed to read it too, but he didn’t close the gap between us or force the moment. Instead, he lifted a hand—slowly, deliberately—and rested it at the back of my neck.
It felt warm. Steady.
Grounding.
I closed my eyes for a second, the contact sending a quiet shock through me, unexpected but not unwelcome.
“Hey,” Stefan said softly.
I opened my eyes, and he smiled.
“You can take your time.” There was no pressure or expectation, simply what felt like permission.
I swallowed. “I don’t?—”
“I know,” he said quickly. Our eyes held for a second or two.
It would be so easy.
I felt its pull, thealmostof the moment.
Then I stepped back, only a fraction, but it was enough for Stefan to let his hand fall away without hesitation or resistance.
This isn’t over.
It was merely deferred. I knew that in my bones.
“I should probably get back,” I said, my voice quavering a little.
Stefan studied me for a second, then nodded. “Of course.” His tone held no trace of disappointment.
He understands.
Relief flooded through me, and I let out a breath.
“Thank you for today.”
Stefan inclined his head. “You’re welcome.” Another pause. “Tomorrow?”
I hesitated, then straightened, my chin held high. “Yes.”
Stefan’s smile widened. “Good.” That head tilt hadn’t altered. “Would you give me your number? Purely for the reason of keeping in touch while we work out what we’re doing, where we’re going…”
I had to smile. “No man has ever asked for my number before. Don’t spoil the illusion.”
He laughed, and I removed my phone from my pocket, opened up Contacts, and handed it to him. Stefan slid his thumbs over the screen. A moment later I caught the trill of his phone.
Those blue eyes focused on mine. “Now we’re connected.”
It sounded simple. Numbers, practicality… But the way he said it made it feel like so much more than that.