Tension Released

Date Night

It took fifteen minutes to write the message. Then another ten just to send it.

Sam: Hey. What are you doing tonight? Any plans?

Her heart thudded hard as she watched the typing bubbles appear.

Jordan: Not a thing, what’s up?

She swallowed.

Sam: I was thinking… maybe we could hang out? Grab dinner? Or just chill.

The reply came a lot faster than she expected.

Jordan: Absolutely! Come by. I’ll text you the address.

That was it. No overthinking. No hesitation. Just yes. By 7 p.m. she was sitting in her car at a red light, stomach turning somersaults, dressed in jeans that actually fit, and a black top that made her feel like herself for the first time in a long time. She drove across the county in near silence, only the hum of the engine and her anxious thoughts filling the space. What if this was a mistake? What if she froze up? What if she wanted too much to fast? But when she pulled into his driveway, saw the soft porch light and the flicker of warm light through the windows, a strange calm washed over her. She was here. Because she wanted to be. He op Ed the door in a plain black t-shirt and jeans, barefoot, hair still wet from the shower. And somehow he looked better than anyone had a right to. Hey he said softly. Hey she replied breath catching. That smell, clean, warm and the same scent that clung to his shirt at work wrapped around her like a pull she couldn’t resist. She stepped inside. The house was cozy. Lived in. Nothing fancy, but if felt real. Framed pictures of Americus on the hallway walls. A guitar in the corner of the living room and a blanket draped over the couch. And Jordan. Sitting beside get now, not to close, but close enough that she could feel the heat of him. They talked for awhile, nothing deep, food, work, music, she laughed more than she thought she would. He looked at her like every word she said mattered. And then there were silences. The heavy, charged silences where nothing needed to be said , but everything was happening.Like the way her knees brushed his. Like the way her body leaned just slightly towards his without meaning to. At one point she looked at him, really looked, and felt it. The way he watched her wasn’t like any other man. He wasn’t staring at her body or her hips, or her curves. He was looking into her. Seeing parts of her she didn’t show anyone. And he didn’t flinch. I don’t know his to do this she whispered. Suddenly terrified. Jordan leaned in slightly and voice low “do what” any of it she said. Healthy. Normal. Trust. Relationship. I don’t even know what it looks like. You don’t have to he said. You just have to let me show you what I know. Her chest tightened. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She didn’t speak. Jordan’s hand brushed her knee. Gentle. Steady. I’ve got you he whispered. And then she kissed him. Or maybe he kissed her. It didn’t matter. It was slow and tender at first then urgent. His hands found her face, her fingers tangled in his hair. Her body moved closer like she was falling forward without realizing. The world tilted. The fear faded. All that was left was heat and breath and this man who made her feel like she wasn’t broken. Not here. Not now. Just wanted. And for the first time in a long time… she let herself want him back.