Ring ring. Ring ring.
Havana's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She lay sprawled across Levi's chest, her breath still slow from sleep. She blinked at the screen—a message from HR:
"You're running late and haven't called in sick."
A jolt of urgency surged through her. She sat up suddenly.
"We're already late!" she exclaimed, leaping from bed.
They both rushed into the bathroom, laughing and stumbling into the shower. Between hurried splashes, their hands found each other, punctuated by giggles and teasing touches that made it hard to stay focused.
After the fastest shower either of them had taken, they got dressed and headed out. Levi promised to stop by her office after his lecture.
During class, Levi was useless. His thoughts drifted back to that morning—her skin against his, the way she laughed, the look in her eyes. A mixture of pride and regret stirred in him.
I needed more hands, he thought with a smirk.
Every sound, every brush of movement around him reminded him of Havana. He couldn't concentrate.
As soon as the lecture ended, he sprinted across campus toward her office.
When he arrived, she looked up—and the way her eyes lit up said she'd been thinking about him too.
"Let's get lunch," she said, standing up. They left together and walked to the nearest Starbucks.
After ordering, they settled into a quiet corner.
Havana sipped her drink and glanced at him over the rim of her cup.
"Where did you learn all those tricks?" she asked, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Levi grinned. "Told you—I had a girlfriend back in the day. We were wild. Two curious teenagers with no idea what to do with all that energy. It was intense, reckless... but I learned a lot."
Havana tilted her head, her smile fading into something more thoughtful.
"Sounds like you've lived a life," she said softly. "Sometimes I wonder what it would've been like—to have that kind of freedom. That kind of recklessness."
She paused, her gaze locking with his.
"Do you ever miss her?"
Levi looked down for a moment, then back at her.
"Sometimes… but not because I still want her. I miss the simplicity. The thrill of being young and fearless. We had our moment, and it ended for a reason."
He reached across the table, gently taking her hand.
Her fingers curled slightly around his. Her eyes softened, drifting away in thought.
"I'm sorry, Levi," she said. "Not because you had fun—but because I didn't. I spent college buried in books, chasing grades, trying to prove something to myself. No wild memories. No reckless love. Just deadlines and pressure."
She exhaled slowly. "I think I missed out."
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.
"Hey, don't say that. You were building something real—something that brought you here, to this exact moment."
He gave her a teasing grin.
"Besides, who says the fun's over? You've got me now."
He winked.
"And I happen to be an excellent tour guide for delayed wild experiences. One memory at a time."
Havana laughed, the tension in her eyes easing.
"Oh really? A tour guide, huh? Do you come with a brochure and a warning label?"
She leaned closer.
"Alright then, Mr. Mischief. Consider this my official booking. Just promise me no broken bones—or academic probation."
Levi stood and offered his hand.
"No promises on the broken bones, but I'll try to keep the chaos classy."
She rolled her eyes, grinning as she stood.
As they walked through the hallway, sunlight spilled through the windows. Their pace was unhurried—two people savoring the present, unburdened for once by the past.
"So," Havana said, nudging him, "what's first on this 'wild experience' tour? Midnight rooftop dancing? Crashing a lecture just to ask nonsense questions?"
"You joke, but I've done both," Levi said. "And I've got ideas that'll make your straight-A past blush."
Their laughter echoed softly behind them—replacing old regrets with something warmer, newer, realer.
Outside, the campus was bathed in golden light. Students headed home, conversations swirling like a gentle soundtrack around them.
"It's funny," Havana murmured. "I used to walk this path alone almost every day. Never thought twice about it. But today feels different."
Levi smiled. "That's because now you've got me. And I come with premium conversation, a decent playlist... and a top-tier bedroom game."
She laughed, shaking her head.
"Oh? So you're my evening entertainment now?"
"Absolutely. And I take requests."
There was no rush. Just the quiet joy of being together, of choosing presence over pressure.
In the cab, they rode in comfortable silence. Havana leaned her head against the window, watching the blur of the world pass. Levi sat back, sneaking glances at her, the corners of his mouth curved upward.
"Tired?" he asked gently.
"A little," she replied without turning. "But the good kind of tired."
"The kind you get from dodging responsibilities and flirting all morning?" he teased.
She smirked. "More like the kind that comes from realizing maybe... I don't have to do everything alone anymore."
He reached over and held her hand. No words. Just that gesture.
When the cab pulled up outside her apartment, the street was glowing under soft yellow lights. They stepped out, side by side.
"Home sweet home," Havana said, stretching with a sigh.
"With socks on the floor and half-empty cereal boxes," she added, unlocking the door.
"Luxury living," Levi joked.
They stepped inside, and the door clicked shut behind them—not just closing on the day, but opening into something new. Something they didn't have to name yet. Something they could just feel.