20

JAKE – POV

"Can I sleep with you?"

She asked quietly, her voice soft and hesitant.

Her fingers fidgeted as she looked at me, waiting for my response.

For a second, I almost laughed at the way she nervously played with her hands. It was oddly cute.

But I quickly cleared my throat and forced a straight face.

I stepped aside and opened the door wider.

"Come in. Before I change my mind," I said.

She gave a small nod and entered.

"I'll sleep on the couch,"

she added quickly and lay down, pulling her knees to her chest. Her eyes shut tightly like she was bracing herself for how awkward it felt.

I locked the door, walked past her, and got into bed. I turned to face her, watching in silence from across the room.

Her breathing was slow, but uneven.

I thought about the way she hugged me earlier. How tightly she held on. It made me pause.

"Such a crybaby,"

I muttered under my breath and turned to lie on my back, trying to sleep.

Then I heard her whisper.

"Mom."

Her voice cracked, like she was dreaming. A tear rolled down her cheek.

I sat up and got out of bed.

I walked toward her quietly and knelt down by the couch. Gently, I wiped the tear from her face and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Was it really that scary for you?" I whispered.

She stirred slightly. Then suddenly, she reached for me and held onto my arm.

"Don't leave me, I'm scared."

I froze.

She was still asleep, but trembling.

I didn't know what else to do, so I picked her up gently and carried her to my bed.

I laid her down, pulled the blanket over her, and got in beside her.

She curled toward me instinctively, and before I could stop myself, my arm went around her waist.

Her face was peaceful now. She was quiet.

"You weak baby,"

I whispered, brushing her hair away from her face.

"Stop crying. You're annoying," I said quietly, though my voice didn't carry any real edge.

Suddenly, her arms wrapped around me. She buried her face in my chest.

"I miss you," she murmured in a broken sob.

I didn't ask who she meant.

I didn't move.

We stayed that way until we both fell asleep.

⸻

JINA – POV

When I opened my eyes, morning light peeked through the window. My head was resting against something warm.

I blinked slowly.

Jake's arm was wrapped around me.

My eyes widened.

How did I end up like this?

I remembered asking him to let me sleep in his room but not this.

I was about to sit up and move away, but then I saw his face calm, peaceful, the hard lines of his expression softened in sleep. It was the first time I'd ever seen him like this.

I stayed still, watching him quietly.

His eyes. His nose. His lips.

Now I understood why people were obsessed with him.

I reached out and gently touched his cheek.

"You really are dangerous," I whispered.

As soon as my fingers brushed his skin, his eyes opened.

He looked directly into mine. Neither of us moved.

I panicked and tried to sit up, but he quickly wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me back down.

Our faces were close. Too close.

"What do you think you're doing?"

he asked with a lazy smirk.

"I—I wasn't—"

He tilted my chin up, making me look at him.

"What did you do to me last night?" I asked.

"You really don't remember?" he said, voice low.

My eyes widened. "What?"

He leaned in, lips just inches away.

"I remember everything," he whispered.

Then he pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"You're lying," I muttered.

He laughed.

"Want to continue where we left off?"

he teased, leaning in again.

My breath caught.

His face moved closer, lips brushing just near mine. I couldn't help it, my eyes shut instinctively.

Then he leaned into my ear and whispered,

"Cook me breakfast."

Before I could react, he stood up and walked to the bathroom, leaving me sitting there completely stunned.

Nothing happened and yet, somehow, everything changed.