Chapter 29: Twenty Nine

The market was starting to wind down by the time we wandered past the last booth. We were no more holding hands, but our hands touched lightly at intervals as we walked. Maybe it was intentional, unintentional, I don’t know.

I was having a nice time. I hadn’t thought about Declan in a bit, and time flew as Jacob and I talked about everything under the sun.

“Want to sit for a bit?” He asked, nodding toward a small park across the street.

I followed him without hesitation.

It was quiet. A small park, but still nice. The path curved around a small artificial pond that reflected the dark sky. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. It had probably been watered recently, because I could smell that distinct scent of water grass that reminded me of early mornings..

We found a bench under an old tree. Jacob sat first, then looked up at me expectantly. I sank down beside him.

“Not bad for a lowkey Saturday,” he said, nudging my knee with his.

“I liked it,” I murmured, watching the wind stir the water. “It was nice. And the market was really fun.”

“You could use a little calm,” he said, turning toward me slightly. “The entire week, I’ve been seeing you looking so stressed.”

I glanced at him. “That obvious, huh?”

He didn’t say anything, he just offered a soft smile that didn’t ask for more. I guess it was that obvious.

I leaned back against the bench, letting the quiet silence sit between us. His hand brushed mine again, not trying to hold it this time, just there.

I turned my face toward him. “You’ve been a really good friend, Jacob. Thank you. I’m glad we met.”

Jacob’s smile faltered a little, then he slowly grinned. “That’s not a favor, Willow. I like being good to you.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth for a second. We both realised it, all too quick, and I turned my head away quickly.

I pulled my knees up a little, arms wrapped around them loosely. “I’ve been caught up in something messy,” I admitted. “And I think I kept trying to make it mean something just because it felt intense.”

He nodded slowly. “Been there, done that.” He said softly.

I looked at him, “Yeah,” I sighed, “Its not the smartest thing. Or the coolest.” I laughed a little. “Um, I’m otherwise just a really chill, cool girl.”

He cocked his head, watching me intently. “No, you’re really not.”

I rolled my eyes,

“I get it, though, Wills,” he said. “Sometimes the wrong things feel right because they’re loud and intense and consume us. But that doesn’t mean they’re good for us.”

I looked at him. “You’re not loud.”

He smirked. “I’m a slow burn, baby.”

I laughed, really laughed. God, he was so corny.

He watched me, eyes crinkling at the corners. “There it is.”

“What?”

“That laugh,” he said. “I’ve been trying to earn that all day.”

“Do you ever get scared?” I asked, my voice coming out weak and timid.

“Of what?”

“Choosing wrong.”

Jacob was quiet for a moment. Then, gently, spoke, “All the time. But being scared had never stopped me from doing what feels right to me.”

I turned to face him fully.

We were closer than I realized. His gaze dipped to my mouth for just a second. Again.

His voice dropped slightly, rougher around the edges. “And right now, you feel really right to me, Willow.”

My heart thudded. My breath felt uneven. He was so close, his fingers ghosting over mine, our knees brushing.

“Jacob.” I whispered, unsure what I was asking for.

He leaned in the rest of the way, but stopped, his lips just a breath from mine. “Say the word,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll wait as long as you need. But you know my intentions.”

I looked into his eyes. Brown, warm, wide. Searching.

I don’t know who moved first. Maybe we both did.

“Can I?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded.

And then he kissed me.

It was soft. Intentional. No rush, no pressure. Just a gentle press of lips, the warmth of his hand coming up to cup my jaw, thumb brushing my cheek.

Softly. Slowly. Like he was memorizing it all - how I tasted, how I tilted my head just slightly, how my hand curled into the front of his jacket. His fingers threaded through my hair, gentle but sure

It was calm. Sweet.

Fuck, I shouldn’t be doing this.

And maybe that’s what made it feel so overwhelming.

When we pulled back, Jacob was still holding my hair lightly. His other hand on my knee, he breathed lightly.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he said quietly.

“Yeah?” I whispered.

He grinned. “You have no idea.”

I drew in a breath, grounding myself. “I don’t want to rush this. I want to be careful.”

Jacob leaned back just enough to look me in the eyes.

“Okay,” he said immediately, like it wasn’t even a question. “We go slow. Your pace.”

I exhaled, a tiny smile forming at the edges of my mouth. “I’m still figuring things out.”

He squeezed my hand, the one still resting in his lap. “Then let me be something that doesn’t need figuring out. Take all the time you need, Wills. There’s no rush. We are friends, before anything else.”

I nodded. “I really do value your friendship.”

He smiled. “I do, too.”