It was quiet in the library that evening, the shadows stretching long across the Donovan's shelves.
I came down just to search for a book that could help to distract me, something to quiet the storm that is still echoing in my chest.
While searching, my fingers traced about the spines of the book absentmindedly when I suddenly stopped. My senses trace him within this space.
I tilted my head to the right, and I saw him right there, leaning casually against the far wall, with a book in his hand. His presence filled the room, even in silence.
"Couldn't sleep again?" he asked with his low voice, carrying across the hush.
I can't help but think for all our recent encounters. It's always happening during nighttime.
I shook my head. "Yeah. How about you?" and I couldn't help but blurted out the curiosity in my mind.
I can sense him smirking and only responded to my questions, "Never been good at sleeping early." He closed his book, sliding it back onto the shelf.
"Too many things to think about." He continued.
I offered him a weak smile and joke, "Like running a huge business empire?"
His lips curved faintly, and his eyes never left mine. "And of course, other things as well."
I can feel the air between us thickened with his answers. He then took a step closer towards me, deliberate but unhurried, until he stood within my arm's reach.
My pulse stuttered, and I hated that he noticed my reaction. The sharp rise of his brow gave him away instantly.
He reached past me, with his sleeve brushing past my arm as he plucked a book from the top of the shelf. This brief contact between us sent a shiver up my spine.
"Still reading Austen?" he asked, his tone almost teasing as he offered me the book that he plucked.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Well, some things never change." I said.
"But some do change." His voice dipped, softer now with his eyes lingering on me as though he was memorizing every line and expression that I made.
We stood there, suspended in silence, and neither of us moved, yet both leaning ever so slightly closer, as if the air itself dared us to cross the line.
"If only I had leaned in just an inch more, his lips would've been mine," I heard my heart talking.
Then, Sophia's laugh echoed faintly from down the hall, shattering the spell that binding us. My body jerked back, and my hands clutched the book to my chest.
I could sense Tristan's jaw tightened and his expression unreadable when he said, "Goodnight, Ellie."
And just like that, the moment slipped through my fingers.