The hum of the engine and the soft rock songs floating quietly through the speakers filled the silence between them, low and steady like a held breath. Alex’s hand rested casually on the center console, his elbow lightly brushing Claire’s arm every time he moved to take a turn. She wasn’t sure if he noticed how close they were, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to.

Outside, the city outskirts blurred into streaks of white and red; headlights, brake lights, street lights, and storefront neon smeared across the windshield like watercolors. Inside, the car was warm. The kind of warm that made Claire hyperaware of everything—of the faint scent of his woodsy and clean cologne, the way her own shampoo reminiscent of a tropical dream seemed to fill the space between them. She wondered if Alex was also taking in the subtle heat filling the space between them.

Claire tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and surreptitiously glanced sideways. Alex looked relaxed, one hand on the wheel, the other still resting on the center console. Her hooded eyes rested on his jawline as she imagined running her finger along the line of it.

Her phone suddenly buzzed in her lap. She glanced down with a jolt, nearly dropping her phone as she fumbled to open the notifications. She exhaled an unsteady breath as she looked at a text from Mira.

Mira: You alive?

Claire smiled, happy for the timely distraction her best friend provided.

Claire: Not sure yet. Alex is taking me home after a…

Claire paused. What should she call what she was coming home from?

Claire: I don’t know, a celebratory dinner that felt like a date? My hormones are staging a coup.

Mira: OMG. Tell me everything! Did sparks fly??

Claire bit her lip, thumbs flying.

Claire: It’s not like that. I mean…maybe? It’s confusing. He’s Alex. From high school. But also… Alex. My boss. And he’s being so nice. Too nice.

Mira: Girl. He’s had a crush on you all through high school. If he’s giving you a green light, I say GO.

Claire’s heart was doing flips in her chest. While she tried to compose a reply in her head, the car stopped suddenly at a red light. She swayed forward and gripped the console to steady herself. But instead of the leather console, she had gripped Alex’s arm. Her eyes flew up, trying to remember how to breathe.

Their eyes met.

The light turned green.

He cleared his throat and put both hands on the steering wheel, Claire’s fingers slipped down his sleeve. She turned her face to hide the flush rapidly rising to her face, but not before she caught the flicker of a flush on Alex’s own face.

Her phone buzzed again, and Claire let out a surprised squeak as she turned her attention back to her conversation.

Mira: Seriously. If you don’t kiss him, I will.

Claire snorted, then quickly stifled it. Alex glanced over, confused amusement in his eyes and the smirk of his perfect lips.

‘Shit,’ Claire screamed at herself in her head.

“Everything okay?” Alex turned his attention back to the road.

“Yeah,” she said, voice a little too high. “Just Mira being…Mira.”

He smiled, and once more her heart did somersaults like she was seventeen again, thinking about his lips. Again.

She mentally berated herself. Again.

They pulled up in front of her apartment. The building looked smaller and shabbier than usual to Claire, suddenly aware that her lifestyle isn’t anything like Alex’s.

Alex shifted into park but didn’t move to unbuckle his seatbelt. Claire hesitated, fingers curled around her seatbelt.

She turned to him, heart thudding.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said, voice soft. “And for dinner. And…everything.” Claire fiddled with the buckle.

Alex nodded, but didn’t move. His hand lingered on the gearshift. His eyes searched hers.

“I had a good time,” he said.

“Me too.” Her soft murmur was punctuated by the click of her seatbelt and the faint whir of the belt winding back.

A beat passed. Then another. Color crept back into Claire’s cheeks. With a little huff, she put a smile on her face and turned to Alex.

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She turned to open the car door, the cool night air hitting her like a jolt of caffeine.

He leaned slightly toward her, his hand gently brushing her arm as she started to get out, it was a brief touch but enough to make her breath catch.

“Hey, I’ll wait until you get to your door. Wave to me when you got your door open, yeah?” Concern fluttered across his eyes.

Claire smiled shyly, “Okay, goodnight, Alex.”

He hesitated. Then smiled, small and genuine.

“Goodnight, Claire.”

Claire closed his door and started walking up the stairs to her third-floor apartment and unlocked the door. She turned toward the balcony and waved down at Alex’s car. He flashed his lights and slowly drove away.

She entered the quiet hallway and closed the door gently behind her. She leaned against it, heart pounding and feeling a little sad and maybe a little disappointed.

The silence was broken by the buzz of her phone.

Mira: Well???

Claire stared at the screen, closed her eyes, and sighed. Then she opened her eyes and typed:

Claire: I think I’m in trouble.