They hadn’t noticed how time slipped away. The sky had turned into a deep shade of indigo, speckled with stars, but they were too lost in each other’s presence to care. Lying side by side under the grand old tree, the world around them faded, leaving only their quiet laughter and shared whispers beneath the night sky.

Jack let out a soft sigh, his eyes fixed on the constellations above. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?” he mused. “They look so close together, but in reality, they’re light-years apart.”

Selena turned her head to him, watching the way the starlight reflected in his eyes. He wasn’t just talking about the stars—she could feel the weight of his words pressing gently against her heart.

“Yes, they are far apart,” she said softly, “but from where we stand, they seem so close.”

Jack shifted onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he gazed down at her. His expression softened, his voice dropping to something quieter, more vulnerable. “I hope we don’t drift apart… no matter what happens.”

Selena’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to say something so tender, so raw. She turned fully toward him, their faces now only inches apart. The warmth of his presence wrapped around her like a blanket, sending shivers down her spine.

“I hope so too, Jack,” she whispered, her heart racing.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence between them thick with something unspoken. Jack reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers barely grazing her skin. The touch sent a rush of warmth through her, making her feel lightheaded.

His gaze flickered to her lips for the briefest second before returning to her eyes, as if asking for permission. Selena felt her pulse quicken—was this really happening? She didn’t pull away. Instead, she found herself leaning in, ever so slightly, drawn by something neither of them could deny.

The space between them disappeared, their breaths mingling, hearts pounding in sync. Just when their lips were about to meet, a cool breeze rustled through the tree branches, making Selena shiver.

Jack hesitated, then smiled—a small, lopsided smile filled with both longing and patience. Instead of closing the distance, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

Selena closed her eyes at the warmth of the gesture, feeling a sweet ache in her chest. It wasn’t a kiss on the lips, but somehow, it felt even more intimate.

“We’ll never drift apart,” Jack murmured against her skin, his voice a promise.

She smiled, her heart swelling with emotions too big to name. Maybe they weren’t ready for that kiss yet—but when the moment came, she knew it would be perfect.