Hanna noticed the way Emily’s eyes lingered on Jacob during lunch. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught her friend stealing glances at him, but Emily always brushed it off when confronted.
“You’re staring again,” Hanna teased, nudging Emily’s shoulder.
Emily rolled her eyes. “I am not.”
“You so are,” Hanna said, grinning. “Why don’t you just talk to him?”
“Because it’s Jacob,” Emily said, her tone exasperated. “He’s… intimidating.”
Hanna glanced at Jacob, who was sitting at a nearby table, laughing with his friends. “He doesn’t seem intimidating to me.”
“That’s because you’re not the one crushing on him,” Emily muttered.
Hanna laughed, her heart lighter than it had been in months. “You should give it a shot. You never know—he might feel the same way.”
***
That afternoon, Emily found herself walking home when Jacob’s car pulled up beside her.
“Need a ride?” Jacob asked, leaning out the window with a grin.
Emily hesitated before nodding. “Sure.”
The car ride was filled with easy conversation, Jacob’s humor putting Emily at ease. But as they pulled up to her house, he hesitated.
“Hey, Emily,” Jacob said, his tone uncharacteristically nervous.
“Yeah?”
“Do you maybe want to hang out sometime? Just the two of us?”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. “I’d like that.”
Jacob smiled, the warmth in his gaze making Emily’s cheeks flush.
***
That evening, Hanna sat on her bed, staring at the promise ring Finn had given her. It felt heavy on her finger, not because of the weight but because of what it represented.
When Finn texted to check in, Hanna smiled.
Finn: How’s my girl?
Hanna: Thinking about us. What about you?
Finn: Always thinking about us.
Hanna hesitated before typing her next message.
Hanna: Do you ever wonder if we’re moving too fast?
Finn’s reply was quick.
Finn: No. Do you?
Hanna sighed, typing carefully.
Hanna: Sometimes. But not because I don’t love you. I just… I don’t want to mess this up.
Finn: We won’t. As long as we keep being honest with each other, we’ll be fine.
Hanna smiled, her worries easing. Finn always knew what to say.