Friday morning arrived, and John parked his truck outside of her apartment building. He pulled out his phone, and his fingers tapped out a message before hitting send.

John: Outside. Ready when you are.

He leaned back, letting his gaze drift to the building's entrance.

A few minutes passed, and the door opened. He saw her stepping out, and Charlie was dressed in her simple top, jeans, a light blazer, and sneakers—nothing fancy, but somehow, she was perfect in his eyes.

Her hair was down, framing her face in soft waves that caught the morning light, adding a warm glow to her features.

As she walked toward his truck, Charlie met his gaze and flashed a smile that tightened his chest.

She looked beautiful in a way he couldn't ignore, and for a moment, he forgot to move.

Finally, he snapped out of it and climbed out of the truck, meeting her halfway. He broke eye contact to open the passenger door for her.

"Thanks," she said, stepping onto the edge of the step.

Just as she did, her foot slipped, and she wobbled, reaching out instinctively.

Before she could stumble, he caught her by the waist. She let out a small, embarrassed laugh, her cheeks turning pink as she looked up at him. Her surprise melted into a shy smile.

"It seems you tend to stumble around me," he said, his teasing tone edging into huskiness.

Their eyes met, and he realized just how close they were. He could catch the faint scent of her perfume—a warm blend of the same scent he remembered.

Vanilla. Strawberry.

"Uh, sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me today," she stammered, her cheeks still a deeper shade of pink.

"No need to be shy," he said, trying to keep his tone casual, even though his pulse had quickened. "Happy to be your safety net." His hand held at her waist just a second longer, giving a reassuring squeeze before helping her get inside.

She offered him a bashful smile before settling into her seat.

When he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, he got in, and glanced over, catching her looking out the window with that faint blush still coloring her cheeks. It took all his restraint to resist leaning over and kiss her. But he knew he needed to be careful with her.

Starting the engine, he threw her a reassuring grin.

"Ready for a day in the woods? Promise I won't let you trip over anything," he said, a hint of flirtation in his voice.

Charlie turned to him, her eyes bright with excitement.

"I'll hold you to that," she said, settling back into her seat.

He smiled back and the drive was quiet and comfortable. Every now and then, he'd steal a glance at her, watching as she looked out the window. Her expression was thoughtful, almost expectant, as if the woods ahead held secrets she wanted to uncover.

After a while, he broke the silence.

"You look a little quiet over there," he said. "Getting nervous about all those questions you plan to throw my way?"

Her eyes snapped back to him. "Nervous? No. If anything, I'm excited."

John raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by her response.

Most people either kept a respectful distance from his line of work or were too polite to ask much. But excitement? That was new.

"Excited, huh?" he said, glancing over at her. "Didn't think you'd be so keen to dive into the danger zone."

Charlie shrugged. "Well, not every day you meet someone who does what you do."

He nodded, turning his attention back to the road.

Years of experience had taught him to keep certain things close, especially around civilians. But Charlie looked at him like he was more than a soldier. It was a strange feeling, yet oddly comforting.

"Most people don't get it," he admitted, his voice quieter now, almost stern. "They hear 'special ops' and think it sounds like something out of a movie. They don't realize it's real. And... yeah, dangerous."

She tilted her head, studying him with a thoughtful gaze. "I figured it's something that matters to you, right?"

John glanced at her. It was rare for someone younger than him to say such like this. He hummed and pressed his lips thinned.

"Yeah, there's more to it than the risk, even if no one sees it..." He paused, his eyes drifting back to the road. "It's not for everyone."

"True," she said, her expression softening as she continued, "I mean, I don't know anyone like you. The guys in my classes, they're not exactly dealing with life-or-death situations like you do."

John chuckled, feeling the tension ease with her honesty. "I'd imagine not."

She laughed softly. "I'm sure it sounded like it's an understatement."

"It could be," he replied with a grin. "Guess you'll just have to stick around and figure out what I mean by 'understatement.'"

Charlie rolled her eyes, but her smile grew, lighting up her face.

"Try me."

***

The drive from Farrington to Queens Wood took them down winding roads lined with tall trees, their leaves beginning to change into shades of gold, red, and orange. 

Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering golden light across the ground, creating a fall atmosphere.

Charlie relaxed with each passing mile, the nerves she'd felt earlier melting away in response to the calming scenery.

As they reached the woods, John slowed the truck. He was pulling off onto a narrow dirt path that led deeper into the forest, and parked there. He climbed out, circling around to open her door and offered her his hand.

She took it, her fingers fitting comfortably in his large grip before stepping out, feeling the uneven ground beneath her sneakers. His hand lingered around hers, sending a shiver up her spine before he let go, leading her toward the trail. 4

They walked side by side, surrounded by the soft sounds of birdsong and leaves rustling. Sunlight dappled through the canopy above, casting dancing shadows across the trail. She could the earthy scent of damp leaves and pine, since the cool air kissed her face, making her hair blew softly behind.

Charlie breathed deeply, a sense of calm washing over her as they moved deeper into the woods. Her curiosity about him, the questions she'd been holding back, began bubbling to the surface.

When they reached a small clearing where sunlight poured through the trees, warming patches of the ground. John stopped, turning to face her before he began.

"Alright," he began. "Ask away."

Charlie breathed, gathering her thoughts as she looked at him. This was the chance she'd been waiting for, and she didn't want to waste it.

"Okay... why did you join?" she asked softly. "The SAS."

"It wasn't something I planned out," John paused, letting his words sink in before he continued. "I joined the British Army first. SAS isn't something you apply for. They pick you. One day, they approached me, and I went through the selection process. Tough as hell, but I made it."

She nodded, sensing he'd drawn a boundary. Still, her curiosity wasn't sated. "So, what made you stay? Why keep going?"

His expression softened, and he considered his answer carefully.

"When in the special forces, you're part of something bigger than yourself. It's not a job; it's a commitment. You do things most people wouldn't do it. And sometimes it's knowing you're doing the work that matters, even if no one else knows."

Charlie studied him, her mind racing with more questions, though a part of her hesitated to ask too much.

"I just... I've never met someone like you," she said, a hint of wonder in her tone. "I mean, it's like something out of a story. But you're real."

"I'm very real, and I'd rather not be the focus of the story. But if you have more questions, just keep it off me, yeah?" John said, his gaze warm as he looked down at her.

"Why?" Charlie frowned and asked.

John shrugged. "That's not something I'm ready to share."

"Okay," she nodded slowly, though a part of her felt disappointed.

"Here's how this is going to work," John said, crossing his arms. "You're the inquisitive type, and I'd rather not be interrogated every time we meet about me. I would prefer you ask me about something else."

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Interrogated? I'm just asking questions."

"You are, but you get three questions a day. No more. I'll answer them, but only three. So, make them count."

Charlie huffed, and it was her turn to cross her arms. "That's not fair! What if I need more than three?"

His shrugged nonchalantly again.

"Then you'll have to save them for next time. Look, if we're going to keep seeing each other, I'd better set some boundaries. Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of your curiosity."

She narrowed her eyes. "And what if I don't follow your 'rules'?"

John chuckled darkly, but his smile faded this time. He stepped forward until he was close to her distance.

"Then, Charlie girl, you'll have to give me something I want." His voice dropped into a low, huskiness tone.

Her breath caught, and she blinked, momentarily thrown off by the change in his demeanor. She met his gaze, trying to read him, though a faint thrill prickled at the back of her mind.

"Something like what?"

He smiled, a hint of a challenge in his gaze. "You'll figure it out. But be careful, eh?" Then, he stepped back and turned around before walking down the trail, leaving her no choice but to follow.

Charlie hurried her steps to catch up with him, the crunch of leaves beneath their feet echoing in the woods.

"Alright, second question," she continued. "I'm still curious about what you do in your 'special operations.'"

John kept his eyes forward and answered. "Classified."

She stopped mid-step, letting out a scoff, and her hands were placed on her hips. "Classified? You're really going to pull that on me?"

He stopped and turned to her, one brow raised. "Charlie, what you're asking is confidential. It's not that I don't want to tell you—it's that I legally can't. You'll have to accept it." He paused, giving her a pointed look as he added, "Next."

The way he said it, almost smugly, made her bite her bottom lip. Her gaze dropped into a scowl before looking back up. But when she found him watching her, his expression serious.

"Didn't I warn you about biting your bottom lip?" he asked, his eyes glancing down to her lip before meeting her gaze again.

She felt her cheeks warm and quickly released her lip. "Oh, sorry."

"Don't be," he said, his eyes holding hers a second longer. "Just... distracting."

Her cheeks flushed deeper, but she pressed on with her final question, her voice a bit softer now.

"How long have you been in the SAS, then?" she asked, her voice softer now, as though wary of pushing him too far. "You said you joined the British Army first, right?"

John nodded.

"I joined the Army when I was sixteen," he began, his gaze shifting to the path ahead as he continued walking, and she followed along. "SAS came later when I was twenty-three. Got handpicked, went through selection, and made it through."

"So... you've been doing this for a while," she said quietly.

He glanced at her, his expression softening a little. "Yeah. Long enough to know what I'm in for."

As they continued walking, Charlie processed everything he'd shared, feeling a newfound respect for him.

She stole a glance his way, marveling that he'd let her in, even just a little. Charlie opened her mouth to ask another question, then caught herself, noticing his raised eyebrow and knowing smirk that clearly said he was onto her.

"Never mind," she muttered, folding her arms with a sheepish pout. "Three questions only."

John chuckled, the hint of a tease in his voice as he shot her a sidelong glance before looking away. "Backing out that quick? Thought you might be up for an exchange."

"It's just unfair, that's all," she said, her brows knitted together. "You get to stay all mysterious, and I'm over here just supposed to wait?"

"Believe it or not," he said, unbothered by her reaction. "I'd prefer we talk less and be present."

Then, he turned to look at her, his eyes became darker and stern. "There's always the chance I could be called away, and you might not see me again. That's just the reality of my line of work, Charlotte."

Charlie felt her breath catch by the name he had called. She hadn't considered the possibility that any day might be his last chance to be here with her. She stared at him.

"You... mean that don't you?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"That's part of why I'm here now. Doesn't mean I'm looking to disappear on you," John added with a small, reassuring smile, "but it's something you need to know if we're going to keep doing this."

Charlie stared at him, absorbing his words. She hadn't considered that side of his life—how, at any time, he might be called back into action that she couldn't begin to understand. It was both thrilling and sobering, and as she mulled it over. She didn't see the uneven patch of ground ahead when her foot caught, and she found herself tipping forward.

Suddenly, his hands quickly reached out and were on her, pulling her back into balance.

She gasped softly, finding herself inches away from him. With his arm wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close.

Her breath caught as her gaze lifted to meet his.

All she could see was him close—icy blue eyes and that beard framing his face with a kind of old-world charm, blending the Barba Hulihee and Victorian styles. The thick, dark brown hair swept down his jawline, fuller near his chin and gently tapering along his cheeks. It was groomed, yet it held a natural roughness, a hint of the life he led—the kind of beard that wasn't just for looks but spoke of strength.

Charlie felt her cheeks warm as she studied his appearance thoroughly.

The way it complemented his face gave him an air of timeless masculinity, like he came from a Victorian novel as he did in his role as a soldier. It suited him. Her eyes traced how his beard connected to the slight mustache that lined his upper lip, softening his otherwise sharp features and giving his intense gaze. And then there was the faint silver threading through the darker brown hairs.

Her gaze dropped to his lips without realizing it, partially hidden beneath the beard but close enough to touch.

Her heart skipped, and she looked back up, meeting his gaze as his lips curved into a barely there smile, like he'd caught her staring.

Embarrassment mixed with that pull, and she could only manage a shy smile.

"You alright?" he asked, his voice low and warm, breaking through her daze.

"Yeah," she breathed, her voice almost reaching a high pitch but soft. "Uhm... I didn't see where I was walking."

He chuckled. "Well, Charlie, you must be the clumsy one. I must be a distraction to you, aren't I?"

She gulped. She hadn't expected him to say it straight, to look at her with that intensity that left her both vulnerable and keen.

When his eyes dropped, studying her face, he added, "You've got these pretty brown eyes. I'd be lying if I said they weren't distracting also."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade, and she looked down, a timid smile forming on her lips.

"Yeah," she said absentmindedly.

He chuckled again, his hand resting on her waist to steady her until he loosened his grip just enough to help her stand.

"Come on, stay close," he said, his voice laced with a teasing edge. "Can't have you tripping over every rock in the woods."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade.

"I am not that clumsy," she protested.

"Oh, I don't know," he said, raising an eyebrow as he watched her with a sly grin. "You've got three records. I might as well count if that happens again."

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her. How John looked at her—half-teasing, half-sincere—made her heart race.

She kept close to his side as they continued down the trail. Stealing glances at him a few times, hoping he wouldn't catch her staring at him. And he did, more than once.

At one point, his expression softened into a warm, cheeky grin.

The kind of depth that told her he was enjoying this time with her just as much as she was.

———

Thank you so much for reading this chapter!

I hope you enjoyed this fun and heartfelt moment between John and Charlie. The next three chapters will be released on every Friday, so stay tuned—it's going to be just as exciting (if not more)!

If you could ask John three questions, what would they be? (Remember, you only get three—choose wisely!)

What's your go-to strategy for handling an awkward or flirty moment, like Charlie's near trip? Would you laugh it off, tease back, or just freeze?

Who's more likely to trip over their own feet on a date—you or your date?