The knock on the door echoed softly through the small apartment. Ledger got up, brushing invisible dust from his shirt before pulling the handle. Standing on the other side was a tall, light-skinned man with deep brown eyes and a body sculpted like he spent half his life in the gym.
"Hey man," Ledger greeted, smiling. "Come in, Jonathan."
Lorelei froze in her seat. Her fingers nervously twisted the edge of her sleeve as her eyes flicked toward the stranger who had just entered. She didn't expect anyone else tonight, and something about the man's easy confidence made her heart beat faster. Ledger noticed her hesitation and reached for her hand.
"Jonathan, this is my girlfriend, Lorelei," he said proudly.
Jonathan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Girlfriend? Well, that's a surprise," he said with a teasing grin.
"Hi," Lorelei murmured, trying to sound calm.
"Hey," he replied warmly. "I'm honestly shocked. This guy told us he'd never fall in love again. Guess you worked some kind of magic on him."
Lorelei giggled. "Maybe I did. But don't tell him that."
"Hey, I'm right here," Ledger said, pretending to be offended.
All three burst into laughter. The tension in the room faded instantly, replaced by lighthearted ease.
"It's really nice to meet you, Lorelei," Jonathan said. "And thank you—clearly you've done him good."
She smiled shyly. "Nice to meet you too."
Jonathan disappeared into the shower, leaving the couple alone again. When he returned ten minutes later, he tossed a towel over his shoulder and said, "By the way, my girlfriend's name is Lorelei too."
Lorelei laughed. "You're joking. I thought I was one of a kind."
"Nope," he chuckled. "Guess you'll have to share the spotlight."
She stood up and reached for her bag. "Maybe I should go, give you two some space."
Ledger frowned. "Why? You can stay. Jonathan's heading out anyway."
"Oh?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I was actually hoping you'd spend the night," he said with that crooked smile that always made her melt.
"Hmm…" She pretended to think for a moment. "Alright. I'll stay. Besides, I have class in the afternoon tomorrow."
Before Jonathan left, Lorelei stopped him by the door. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," he said, curious.
"How's Ledger as a person? I mean… outside what I know?"
Jonathan smiled thoughtfully. "He's a good guy—better than he gives himself credit for. I'm honestly surprised you managed to steal his heart. He swore he'd never love again after his ex."
Lorelei chuckled softly. "That's funny. I said the same thing about myself."
"Guess you two have more in common than you think."
"Maybe so," she said. "We're still new, but I'm learning more about him each day."
"That's what makes it real," Jonathan said gently.
Their eyes lingered for a moment longer than expected—an unspoken connection forming between two people who both cared for the same man in different ways. Lorelei quickly broke the eye contact and smiled. "I should get back."
"Yeah," Jonathan said, stepping aside. "It was really nice meeting you."
"You too," she replied softly.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Lorelei turned back to find Ledger watching her from the couch, curiosity written all over his face.
"What were you two talking about?" he asked.
"Oh, just you," she said innocently, dropping onto his lap.
"Really? Why?"
"Can't your woman make a little research about her boyfriend?" she teased, throwing his earlier words back at him.
Ledger laughed, pulling her closer. "Touché."
Lorelei smiled, brushing her fingers against his cheek before leaning down to kiss him. It was a slow, tender kiss that tasted like laughter, forgiveness, and the start of something real.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room was quiet except for the rhythm of their hearts.
And though Lorelei didn't say it aloud, she knew—whatever spell she had cast on Ledger, he had cast one right back on her.