Jade wasn't sure how many evenings she had spent with Lila by now, but every one of them seemed to blur into a haze of laughter, teasing, and moments that lingered too long to be just friendly. Tonight was no different—except it felt heavier, charged, like the air itself was holding its breath.
Lila had invited her over under the excuse of "teaching her a new card game." Jade had laughed when she first heard it, suspecting Lila had something else in mind. But she went anyway—of course she did. Being near Lila had become the highlight of her week.
By the time Jade arrived, the coffee table was scattered with a deck of cards, bowls of popcorn, and two glasses of wine. Lila sat cross-legged on the floor, grinning like a cat with a secret.
"You're late," Lila teased.
"By three minutes," Jade said, kicking off her shoes. "Hardly counts."
"Oh, it counts," Lila replied with mock sternness. "Penalty: you have to sit closer."
Jade laughed, but when she settled on the floor, Lila immediately tugged her until their knees touched. The warmth of the contact sent sparks up Jade's skin.
"Better," Lila murmured, her smile wicked.
They started the game, but Jade quickly realized the rules didn't matter. Every time she tried to focus, Lila leaned in too close, brushed her hand against Jade's, or whispered teasing comments that made her lose track.
"You're cheating," Jade accused, trying to hide her blush.
"Cheating?" Lila gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "Me? Never. You're just distracted."
"By what?" Jade challenged, though her voice was shaky.
"By me," Lila said simply, her grin softening into something more tender.
The words hung in the air, bold and heavy. Jade's chest tightened. She wanted to deny it, to laugh it off, but the truth was too strong. She was distracted—completely, utterly distracted by Lila.
"I… maybe I am," Jade admitted quietly.
Lila's eyes softened, her smile turning slow and warm. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Good. Because I'm distracted by you too."
Jade's pulse hammered. Their faces were so close now that she could feel the faint brush of Lila's breath against her skin. Her thoughts tangled into one loud, insistent desire: kiss her.
The game forgotten, they sat frozen, eyes locked, the space between them shrinking by the second. Lila's hand brushed Jade's, then lingered, fingers slowly curling until they were entwined. The touch was gentle, almost questioning.
"Jade…" Lila whispered, her voice low, uncertain for once.
Jade's breath caught. "Yes?"
Lila leaned in, closer, her lips just inches away. Jade's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. She tilted forward without even realizing, caught in the pull of the moment, of Lila's eyes, of everything unsaid between them.
It would only take one more inch. One more breath.
But then, Lila stopped. She smiled softly, her forehead resting against Jade's instead. "Not yet," she murmured, her voice warm but steady.
Jade's stomach flipped with a mix of disappointment and relief. "Not yet?" she echoed, her voice barely audible.
"Mm-hmm," Lila hummed. "I like this… this build-up. The waiting. I'm wondering. Don't you?"
Jade swallowed hard, her pulse still racing. She wanted to say no, to admit she wanted more right now—but she couldn't deny the truth. The tension, the flirting, the teasing closeness—it all made her heart ache in the best way.
"Yes," she whispered. "I like it too."
Lila grinned, brushing her thumb across Jade's hand. "Good. Because I'm not done distracting you yet."
The rest of the night was a blur of laughter, teasing nudges, and playful banter, but Jade could feel the change between them. The almost-kiss lingered, unspoken but undeniable, and every glance, every touch carried a weight that hadn't been there before.
When she left later that night, Jade walked home under the glow of the streetlights, her heart still pounding. She touched her lips absentmindedly, replaying the moment when they'd been so close, when everything in her had screamed yes.
She had almost kissed Lila. Almost admitted what she was starting to feel.
And she knew one thing with absolute certainty: the next time, she wouldn't pull back.