WANTED A FLING BUT IT'S A NIGHT

CHAPTER 19 (THE KISS)

*CHAPTER NINETEEN**

The wind that afternoon was quiet, but heavy—like it carried things unsaid. Rhett sat alone by the fountain bench behind the engineering block, legs stretched out, earbuds in, a bottle of water half-empty beside him. The sun caught the curve of his jawline, made his silver ring glint. But his eyes were distant. Waiting.

He'd told Asher to meet him there in ten minutes. That had been twelve ago. Still, he didn’t move.

Asher was pacing near the cafeteria with Zane.

“Go,” Zane nudged. “You know you want to.”

“I don’t know what I’m walking into.”

“Only one way to find out.”

So Asher left his half-finished juice, his doubts, and crossed the campus. Every step felt like peeling off a layer of pride.

When he saw Rhett still sitting there, still waiting, his heart stumbled.

Rhett looked up as Asher approached, pulling one earbud out. “You took your time.”

“I didn’t know if I should come.”

Rhett nodded. “Fair.”

Silence.

“Listen,” Asher began, rubbing the back of his neck, “I didn’t know how to... interpret things. One minute you’re pulling away, next you’re pouring mango tea into my cup and showing up like clockwork in the places I least expect.”

“I get it,” Rhett said, voice low. “I wasn’t exactly making it easy. I don’t make a habit of letting people in. But with you, I wanted to. Still do.”

Asher stared at him. “Even after the rumors? The drama?”

Rhett smirked faintly. “Especially after. You talk too much in your sleep.”

Asher flushed. “What?”

“That night,” Rhett said, standing, taking a step closer, “you kept muttering. About home. About light. About not being left behind.”

Asher’s chest ached. “I wasn’t dreaming. I was remembering.”

“I know.”

Another silence—this one thicker, heavier, but warmer.

Then, Rhett touched Asher’s face. “I want to try. No flings. No games.”

Asher nodded, just once, eyes never leaving his.

Their lips met slowly, as if they were learning each other for the first time. The kiss deepened—until Asher, too eager, bit Rhett’s lower lip.

“Ow,” Rhett said with a grin, pulling back slightly.

“s**t—sorry!”

Rhett smirked. “You’re lucky I like pain.”

Asher laughed, breathless. “You’re annoying.”

“And you’re irresistible.”

They stayed like that—foreheads touching.

Then Asher pulled back. “Um... there’s something.”

Rhett raised a brow.

“My family. I’m visiting during the short break. I wanted to ask if you’d come with me.”

Rhett blinked. “You sure?”

“You’ve already seen me cry over mango tea and dance badly at a party. Might as well meet the people who raised that mess.”

A pause, then Rhett chuckled. “Alright. I’m in.”

“Zane and Jude are coming too. Just a casual hangout. They think it’s a group trip.”

“Cool,” Rhett said. “Just don’t make me eat anything weird.”

Asher grinned. “It’s not weird. It’s just... grilled chicken. You’ll live.”

Rhett took his hand. “I think I already am.”

They didn’t need another kiss. Not yet.

But the space between them felt lighter. Like something dark had passed—and left room for something real.