ICE CREAM? JOSH

We stepped out of the restaurant into the warm Texas night, the air thick with the scent of freshly baked dough and city life. Vivien was still smiling, her eyes bright as she glanced up at me.

"That was fun," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah. It was."

And it was.

It had been a long time since I'd sat across from someone and actually enjoyed myself without guilt clawing at the edges. Vivien was easy to talk to, easy to be around. And fuck if that didn't scare me a little.

The waitress had asked if we wanted dessert, and before I could even consider it, Vivien shook her head. "No, thanks," she said, then turned to me with a playful glint in her eye. "I have ice cream at my place. It's not far if you'd be more interested in dessert... there." I almost choked on my last sip of wine.

She grinned.

I set my glass down and nodded once. "Yeah. Sure."

Deep end it is.

15:05A

ICE CREAM?

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walk to her place wasn't long-just a few blocks away. The streets were quieter now, the occasional car passing by, headlights sweeping over us. Vivien walked beside me, hands tucked into the pockets

Comfortable.

been

door, I hesitated. Not because I didn't want to go inside-I did-but because something about this moment felt big. Bigger than just

lifting her brows. "Everything

throat and nodded. "Yeah. I'm

then

And I followed.

a second before following her inside, closing the door

was... not what I

opposite of my place, where Asha's toys were

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back of a chair. I did the same, my

ease. The sound of her shoes hitting the floor echoed softly as she stepped into the kitchen barefoot, her

Two spoons.

No bowls.

making

followed her to the couch,

Not too close.

Not too far.

without a word, then popped the lid off the ice cream. Cookies

took the first bite, moaning softly as she closed

I clenched my jaw.

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