Michelle's head rested on Steve's shoulder as they sat on the floor, sipping coffee from mismatched mugs. Their legs were tangled under the blanket they'd dragged down from the bed. The morning was slow and safe, filled with quiet smiles and little glances that meant everything.
But then—
The door swung open.
"Bro, I forgot my—oh. Oh."
It was Josh, Steve's roommate, standing in the doorway with a phone charger in one hand and his eyebrows halfway up his forehead.
Michelle sat up straighter, clutching the edge of the blanket as if it could hide her from reality. Steve just blinked, his mouth slightly open.
Josh smirked. "Well, good morning, lovers."
Michelle turned pink. Steve cleared his throat.
"Josh. Uh—could you maybe—"
"No, no, don't mind me," Josh said dramatically, backing out of the room. "I'll just grab this and pretend I didn't walk in on a literal rom-com scene."
The door closed behind him.
Silence.
Michelle stared at her mug. "Well. That was…"
"Unexpected?" Steve offered.
"Embarrassing," she muttered.
He laughed gently and touched her arm. "Hey. Don't be. He's just—Josh. He doesn't mean anything by it."
She looked at him, suddenly unsure. "Does he know about us?"
Steve hesitated. "Not… really. I mean, I never said anything."
Michelle pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "So I'm still your secret?"
His smile faded.
"No. You're not a secret. I just—" He sighed. "I didn't know what this was yet. But now I do."
He reached for her hand. "I want people to know. If you're ready."
She looked into his eyes. "Are you?"
He nodded. "I'm sure of you."
She exhaled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah. We'll tell them."
Steve grinned. "Together?"
Michelle smiled back. "Together."
A moment later, Steve stood up and walked to the door. He opened it just a crack.
"Hey, Josh?"
From the hallway: "Yeah?"
"You were right."
"…About what?"
Steve looked back at Michelle and smiled.
"It is a rom-com."