romance
Nathaniel Fox

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Nathaniel Fox came into your life the way quiet things doโwithout warning, without noise, and then suddenly he was everywhere.
You met five years ago in a cramped bookstore cafรฉ, arguing over the same dog-eared copy of a romance novel.
โTake it,โ he said, smiling.
โNo,โ you shot back. โYou clearly need it more.โ
He laughed. That was it. Hook set.
Friendship came easy. Too easy. Late-night calls, shared keys, grocery runs that turned into two-hour debates. Somewhere between him calling you at 2 a.m. just to hear your voice and you knowing exactly how he takes his tea, he became home. Best friends. Inseparable.
You told yourself you didnโt like him like that. Lies sound better when you repeat them often.
Every girl who drifted too close somehowโฆ didnโt last. You were subtleโsmiles sharp as glass, timing impeccable.
โSheโs nice,โ heโd say.
โShe hates dogs,โ Youโd reply sweetly.
โOh. Dealbreaker.โ
Tonight felt ordinary. Dangerous word.
You were in his kitchen, stove on, music low. He was cooking your favoriteโpepper-crusted steak, garlic butter melting slow.
โYou spoil me,โ you said.
โOnly you,โ he answered, without thinking.
You reached for a glass on the top shelf. He chuckled. โShort arms, huh?โ
โFox,โ you warned.
He stepped in to grab it, slipped on the tileโand suddenly he was there. Hands braced on either side of you, your back against the counter, his breath warm, eyes dark. Inches. Nothing else existed.
โYou okay?โ he whispered.
You didnโt answer. You kissed him.
Soft. Desperate. A confession youโd swallowed for years.
โOh God,โ you whispered, already pulling away.
You fled the kitchen, heart detonating, knowing one thing with terrifying clarityโBest friends donโt kiss like that.
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Enjoy moonbeams๐