His breath ghosted against her lips. The moment between them trembled on the edge of something unknown and tender. Her fingertips lingered on the collar of his shirt, as if anchoring herself to him, while their foreheads nearly touched. Their hearts had moved ahead, even if their bodies hadn't yet.
Then
The shrill ringtone pierced the air.
A break in time.
Alina stepped back with a flinch, blinking as reality flooded back into the dim bookstore. She fumbled in her bag, cheeks flushed, breath unsteady. Eli, though still as stone, gently lowered his hands, every motion of his body careful almost reverent.
She answered the call.
"Camilla?"
Her voice was soft, startled.
"Don't tell me you forgot tonight!" Camilla's voice rang with bubbly urgency. "Everyone's headed to RAISE for the big wrap-up celebration. And you have to come. Oh, and bring that 'bookstore boy' what's his name? The quiet handsome one?"
Alina laughed, nervous. "Uh… yeah. I'll be there. We'll be there."
She hung up and turned toward Eli, his eyes unreadable but focused on her.
"My friends are celebrating at a rooftop bar tonight. They asked me to come and bring you too."
He raised his brows just slightly. "They know about me?"
"Bits and pieces," she murmured. "I might've mentioned your name more than once."
She looked unsure. "If you're not comfortable"
"I want to," he interrupted softly. "If you'll have me there."
Her eyes lit up, then flickered down. "I should go change. I'm still in the gallery outfit."
"You look perfect," he said without thinking.
She blushed. "Fifteen minutes?"
He nodded. "I'll wait here."
"Or... you could wait at my place? Balcony's quiet, and you'd be more comfortable."
So he went.
Her apartment reflected her in soft ways muted tones, books stacked like towers, light that fell in golden shapes across the floor. She handed him a glass of water and gestured toward the balcony.
Eli stepped outside into the gentle breeze. The city stretched out below like a sea of stars. The wind tugged at his collar, carrying the scent of her shampoo.
Inside, he could hear drawers opening, faint hums of her voice as she changed. He glanced around the worn armchair with a throw blanket, a framed sketch on the wall, her camera sitting on the counter.
And a journal. Open, with scribbled ideas and names, little drawings in the margins. He didn't read he just noticed.
When she returned, he turned. The breath caught in his chest.
The burgundy dress kissed her skin like dusk. Her hair swept in a loose knot. The city behind her. The glow on her cheeks.
"Ready?" she asked.
He nodded slowly. "You look like a poem I haven't written yet."
She didn't answer. Just smiled.
RAISE buzzed with rooftop music and glittering lights. The wind danced between tables as the skyline pulsed with late-night energy. Eli held the door for her as they walked in together, her hand brushing his. Not quite holding it but not letting go either.
"Are you okay?" she asked as the elevator climbed.
"I don't usually do crowds," he said honestly.
"You don't have to if you're uncomfortable"
"You're here," he replied.
That was enough for him.
As they stepped into the open terrace, the city stretched around them in golden veins. Her coworkers spotted her immediately.
Camilla waved like a sparkler. "Alina! And… this must be Eli?"
Alina nodded. "Yes. Eli, this is Camilla and everyone else. My… friend."
That word landed in Eli's chest like a dull knock.
Friend.
But he didn't flinch. Didn't let it show.
"Nice to meet you all," he said, voice smooth. "She talks about you."
Camilla raised a brow. "And what does she say about us?"
"That you're the reason she works late," he teased lightly.
The group laughed. Eli was quiet, but he was present. Alina noticed how he listened genuinely, attentively. How he remembered people's names. How he let her glow without ever stepping into the light himself.
Later, when the group settled into cushioned seats and drinks sparkled under fairy lights, Alina leaned into him.
"You doing okay?"
"I like watching you in your world," he replied. "You're different here. Still you, but… lighter."
She turned to face him. "You're not bored?"
"I'm counting the ways your eyes change when you laugh."
She blinked. "What?"
"You looked down six times already just talking to Camilla. You smile with one side of your mouth when you're nervous. And when you looked at me from the dance floor... you held your breath."
Alina flushed. She couldn't meet his eyes.
She was pulled to the floor again. The music was lively now. She danced. She twirled.
But her eyes always found him.
Eli sat on a nearby couch, drink in hand, watching her in silence. He didn't need to be part of the music. Her joy was his rhythm.
Someone asked him to join. He politely declined.
"I'm more of a sunset-and-silence kind of guy," he said, smiling.
Camilla plopped beside him. "You like her, don't you?"
He didn't look away from Alina. "I think I'm already undone by her."
As the night stretched on, Alina kept glancing his way. Not every glance was hidden. Some were direct. Like she was anchoring herself.
At one point, as the music slowed, she returned to him.
"Hey," she said, slightly breathless. "Thank you. For coming. I know this wasn't your comfort zone."
"I'm glad I did," he said, holding her gaze. "Because I got to see how the world looks when it's reflecting you."
She didn't say anything. Just reached out, fingers gently brushing his.
Apromise Camilla appeared again, calling for a group picture.
Alina stood reluctantly. As she did, her fingers lingered on Eli's sleeve for a second longer.
He watched her step away.
And in his journal, later that night, he would write:
She danced with everyone else, but she returned to me. And in her glance, I felt more held than hands could ever promise.