a beat of hesitation- he throws a peek back at Aria, still rooted to the spot, a wide-eyed statue.

A genuine smile, slow and easy, stretches across his face. A complete contrast to the raw intensity that had just crackled between them. It's disarming.

Heat creeps up Aria's neck, blossoming into a blush. Inhaling a fortifying breath, she takes a step forward, then another. Each click of her heels against the pavement echoes with newfound confidence.

As she bridges the distance, she rises on her tiptoes silently, her fingers brushing his shoulder like a butterfly landing. Without a word, she leans in, the press of her lips against his cheek a whisper of a kiss.

Pulling back, she looks straight into his brown eyes, her voice low and tranquil. "Thank you-" she breathes, her...

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