GOOD GRACES  ☕️  ───  III.
ALL FOR US

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

The days following the kiss were like stepping into an alternate reality. Everything looked the same—the café, her apartment, even the chill in the air—but nothing felt the same.

Especially not when Rafe walked into the café two days later, a new lightness in his step and a confidence that made her stomach flip in ways she didn't entirely understand.

She'd been at the espresso machine, distractedly steaming milk, when she felt the familiar prickle of awareness crawl up her spine. And then she heard it.

"Morning, babe."

Her hand jerked slightly, sending a froth of foam bubbling over the edge of the pitcher. She turned sharply, meeting his smirking gaze.

Babe.

The word felt like a lit match in her chest, warming and electrifying her all at once.

"Don't call me that," she said, trying to keep her voice steady as she wiped her hands on her apron.

"Why not?" he asked, leaning casually against the counter like he had all the time in the world. "Doesn't suit you?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, her heart pounding against her ribs. "It suits me just fine. It's you I have a problem with."

"Liar." His smirk deepened, and she hated how much she liked it.

Over the next few days, the banter between them only grew sharper, the flirtation becoming something unspoken but impossible to ignore. He came in almost every morning, claiming it was for the coffee, but the way his eyes lingered on her told a different story.

One morning, after he'd picked up his usual order, he surprised her by leaving a folded napkin on the counter before he left. When she opened it, her lips twitched at the sight of the scribbled words: You forgot the cream, but I forgive you. - R.

Another time, he brought in a paperback novel and slid it across the counter with an easy smile. "You mentioned you liked mystery. Thought this one might be up your alley."

She stared at the book for a moment, her chest tightening at the thought of him remembering something she'd said in passing. "You actually listen when I talk?"

"Only when it's interesting," he teased, his smirk softening into something warmer.

Moments like these left her reeling, her emotions bouncing between disbelief and something dangerously close to hope. Rafe Cameron was, against all odds, worming his way into her life in a way she hadn't expected—and she wasn't sure if she wanted to stop him.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

That day, the lunch break came as a small mercy in the middle of her shift like always. Rebeca sat at one of the outdoor tables behind the café, the late-afternoon sun warming her face as she picked at the sandwich she'd packed that morning.

Her thoughts drifted, as they often did lately, to Rafe. His smirk, the way his eyes softened when he thought she wasn't looking, the kiss they still hadn't properly discussed.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Get a grip, Rebeca," she muttered to herself.

"You always talk to yourself, or is this a special occasion?"

Her head shot up, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Rafe leaning against the fence, his signature smirk firmly in place.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, fighting to keep the tremor out of her voice.

"Thought I'd check on my favorite barista," he said, sauntering over to sit in the chair across from her. "And maybe steal some of your lunch."

"Bold of you to assume I'd share," she shot back, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward.

He reached over, plucking a chip from the small bag beside her sandwich. "You're very generous, Rebeca," he said, popping it into his mouth.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that broke through. "Seriously, though. Why are you here? Don't you have a life?"

"Debatable," he said, leaning back in his chair. His gaze softened slightly as he added, "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."

Rebeca's stomach flipped, her pulse quickening at the shift in his tone. "Okay... what's up?"

"There's this bowling thing tomorrow night," he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "The Pogues—John B, Sarah, and the rest of them—are dragging me along. Thought you might want to come with. You know, as my plus one."

Her eyebrows shot up. "You're inviting me to hang out with your friends?"

"First of all, they're not really my friends...just those stupid people my sister so like to hang out with, so I'm inviting you to save me from the nightmare of going alone," he said, though the slight flush creeping up his neck betrayed him. "But yeah. I want you to meet them."

Her chest tightened at his words, the vulnerability in them catching her off guard. "Rafe..."

"No pressure," he said quickly, his gaze flicking away. "I just thought it might be fun. You like fun, right?"

She laughed softly, her heart swelling. "I'll think about it," she said, biting her lip to hide her smile.

"Good enough for me," he said, his smirk returning.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them charged with unspoken words. He reached across the table, brushing a stray crumb off her sleeve, and the simple gesture sent a jolt of electricity through her.

"Rebeca," he said, his voice low and careful.

Her breath caught as his gaze locked on hers, the distance between them shrinking with every second.

"Yeah?" she whispered.

His hand lingered near hers, his fingers brushing hers just enough to set her pulse racing. "Nothing," he said after a moment, leaning back with a teasing smile. "Just wanted to see if you'd freak out."

She let out a shaky laugh, though her heart was still pounding. "You're a dick."

"Don't act like you don't love it," he said, standing up.

As he walked away, she couldn't help but smile, her mind already spinning with possibilities for tomorrow night.

And for the rest of the shift she couldn't think of anything, her thoughts were a swirling mess of excitement, nerves, and something she couldn't quite name.

He wants me to meet his friends, she thought, her chest tightening. What does that mean?

She didn't have an answer, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she didn't need one.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Rebeca spent the entire day trying to convince herself this wasn't a big deal. She had said yes to Rafe's invitation partly because she was curious about him and partly because, well, it was Rafe. Something about him made her hrow her usual caution to the wind. Maybe it was his confident, sometimes reckless attitude or his deep, dark eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. Whatever it was, she couldn't help but be drawn to him.

She arrived at the bowling alley in her favorite pair of jeans and a simple white top, a mix of nerves and anticipation making her chest tight. The night air was cool and crisp, and as she stepped inside, she was immediately hit with the smell of fresh popcorn and the sound of bowling balls crashing into pins. The place had that familiar chaotic energy, but there was something different tonight—something that made her pulse race in a way that had nothing to do with the game.

Rafe was waiting near the entrance, leaning casually against the wall, his hands tucked into his pockets, his usual cool demeanor in full display. But when he saw her approach, something in his expression softened, and his lips quirked up just slightly.

"You clean up nice," he said as she reached him, his voice low but teasing.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face. "Bowling isn't exactly a formal event, Cameron."

"Well, you still outdid the rest of us," he replied, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her cheeks warm.

Rebeca smirked, feeling a little bolder than usual. "That's because I have taste."

"Touché." He nodded approvingly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Inside, Rafe led her over to a group gathered around a lane in the corner. The moment she laid eyes on them, she felt the heat of their stares. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her—except for Rafe, who seemed too cool to care.

"That's them," Rafe said, pointing toward the group.

Her heart beat a little faster as they approached, and she tried to calm the fluttering nerves inside her. She could handle this. She was fine.

"Rafe!" A tall, muscular guy with a wide grin greeted him first, slapping him on the back. "Took you long enough, man. And... who's this?"

"This is Rebeca," Rafe said, his voice a little rougher than usual. "Rebeca, meet John B."

John B gave her a quick, friendly grin, and soon, she was introduced to the rest of the group: Pope, with his sharp wit; Kie, whose energy made her instantly like her; JJ, who was always in the middle of something outrageous; and finally, Sarah.

Sarah's eyes lit up when she saw Rebeca. "Oh my God, I've heard about you!"

Rebeca raised an eyebrow. "You have?"

"Only a little," Sarah teased, her grin mischievous. "Come on, sit next to me. I want to know everything."

Rebeca hesitated for a moment but then sat down, unable to resist Sarah's magnetic energy.

"So, how'd you meet my brother?" Sarah asked, leaning in conspiratorially.

"At the café where I work," Rebeca answered,trying to keep her tone casual, even though the intensity of the conversation made her feel a little nervous.

"And how did he manage to rope you into this?" Sarah asked, eyes narrowing playfully.

"Honestly? Still trying to figure that out," Rebeca admitted with a small laugh, glancing at Rafe who was busy talking to someone else.

Sarah leaned closer, her voice a mock whisper. "Don't let him fool you. He's way more charming than he lets on. But don't tell him I said that."

Rebeca smirked. "You don't have to worry. I'm pretty sure I'm immune to whatever his magic is."

"Good luck with that," Sarah said with a wink, clearly enjoying teasing her brother.

Despite herself, Rebeca felt her heart skip a beat. She liked the way Sarah made her feel like she was already part of the group. There was something about her warmth and ease that made it feel like she belonged, like she wasn't just a stranger to Rafe's world.
Meanwhile, Rafe was making his rounds, talking to the other guys, but his eyes kept flicking back to her. Every time they met, she caught the way his gaze lingered just a little too long. It was like he was trying to keep his cool, but there was something in the way his lips twitched whenever she laughed, something in the softening of his expression whenever they shared a quiet look. It made her stomach flutter uncomfortably—and she didn't know if she liked it or hated it.
The group broke off into teams, with Rebeca and Rafe paired together.

"You any good at this?" Rafe asked, eyeing her with the same cocky smile he always wore.

"Better than you, probably," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, it's on," he grinned, a fire lighting in his eyes.

As they took turns rolling the ball, their friendly banter became more and more competitive. Rebeca couldn't help but laugh as Rafe dramatically groaned every time she scored higher than him.

"You're cheating," he accused, making a face after she knocked down a perfect strike.

"How can you cheat at bowling?" she shot back, her voice laced with teasing.

"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure you've figured out how to do it," he muttered, folding his arms.

Rebeca laughed, the sound light and airy, something that felt easy around him. The entire game felt more like a dance, a series of playful moves that kept them both on their toes, caught in a whirlwind of laughter and quick-witted insults.

At one point, Rafe got so flustered after Rebeca scored yet another strike, he threw his hands up in mock frustration. "I swear, you're playing some kind of long con on me. There's no way you're this good at bowling."

"Maybe I just have better aim," she teased, feeling an odd sense of pride in being able to mess with him like this.

"Oh, I'll show you better aim, alright," he muttered under his breath, his eyes flashing with something between competitiveness and... something else that Rebeca couldn't quite put her finger on.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

After a while, Rebeca needed to get out of the noisy, crowded bowling alley for a moment of peace. She slipped outside, the cold night air hitting her face in a refreshing rush. She lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply, and leaned against the brick wall, feeling the tension of the night slowly ebb away.

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Rafe stepping outside. He was already holding a cigarette between his fingers.

"You're not sneaking off without me, are you?" His voice was teasing but his eyes softened as he leaned beside her.

She took a long drag, trying to hide her smile. "Thought I'd give you a chance to cool down after losing so badly."

He rolled his eyes, taking a drag from his own cigarette. "We'll see about that."

There was a quiet moment, the kind that Rebeca had come to realize was oddly comfortable between them. No words, just the soft glow of the streetlight above and the steady rhythm of their breathing as they smoked in companionable silence.

After a moment, Rafe spoke again, his voice softer now. "You having fun tonight?"

The question surprised her. She hadn't expected him to care much about her opinion on the night, given how easy it had been for him to draw her into the chaos of his world. But the sincerity in his tone made her pause, and when she looked over at him, she saw a softness in his gaze she hadn't noticed before.

"Yeah," she said with a slight smile. "Your friends are cool. I didn't think it would be like this."

Rafe raised an eyebrow. "You thought they'd be a bunch of idiots, didn't you?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly? I wasn't sure what to expect. But they're actually fun. And they don't seem as... intense as you."

He smirked. "That's because I'm the least fun of the group."

She shrugged. "I wouldn't say least fun. Just... most unpredictable."

"Fair enough."

They stood there in silence for a while longer, the tension between them thickening. And just when Rebeca thought maybe she had imagined the entire thing, Rafe turned to her, his eyes flickering to her lips.

Rebeca's breath hitched when Rafe stepped closer, his gaze flickering to her lips before meeting her eyes once more. She could see it in his face—there was no mistaking it. He wanted this. Wanted her. She felt it in the way his hands hovered near her, like he was waiting for her to make the first move, but she wasn't sure what to do with the surge of electricity that rushed through her.

Her heart hammered in her chest, and for a second, everything felt surreal. The way he looked at her made her feel both exposed and desired, two things she wasn't used to. But when he leaned in, ever so slowly, she didn't pull away.

His lips brushed against hers. The soft pressure sent a shockwave through her, and she exhaled shakily, heart fluttering like a trapped bird in her chest. It was gentle, soft, but with an unmistakable promise of something deeper, something unspoken. The world around them blurred into insignificance, leaving only the taste of him and the pounding of her pulse in her ears.

She leaned into him, her hands instinctively reaching up to thread through his hair. It was soft, messy, the strands slipping between her fingers as she pulled him closer. The kiss deepened then, his lips warm and insistent against hers, coaxing her into a rhythm that felt both familiar and new all at once. His hand brushed her cheek, his thumb gently tracing the curve of her jaw, sending shivers down her spine.

Her breath caught again as she responded in kind, her lips parting just slightly as the kiss deepened even further. Rafe's lips moved with an almost feverish urgency now, pressing against her in a way that left her breathless and wanting more. His mouth was warm and demanding, but also tender, like he was trying to savor every second. It was as though time had slowed down, the moment stretching out until all that existed in the world was the sweet, intoxicating press of his lips against hers.

Rebeca's chest ached with longing as she melted into the kiss, her entire body responding to him in ways she didn't understand. The way he held her so gently, yet with an unspoken possessiveness, made her feel like she was falling. And she didn't want to stop.

When they finally broke apart, both of them breathing heavily, Rebeca's mind was a whirl of thoughts, all of them leading back to the warmth of his touch, the taste of his kiss. Her lips tingled from the contact, and she felt a dizzying mix of emotions flooding through her.

But it was Rafe who broke the silence first, his voice low and husky, as if he were still fighting to catch his breath. "That... that was more than okay, right?" His words were a soft rasp, like a question but also a declaration.

Rebeca's fingers still lingered on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch. She blinked up at him, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her breath shaky. She couldn't quite find the words to describe what had just happened—how his kiss had made her feel as though the earth itself had shifted beneath her feet.

"More than okay," she whispered back, her voice barely audible as she fought to regain some sense of composure.

Rafe's gaze softened then, his thumb brushing lightly over her lower lip, almost reverently. "Good," he murmured, as if he'd been waiting for her to say something, anything to confirm that she felt the same fire burning between them.

But neither of them spoke after that. They simply stood there, bodies close, still reeling from the kiss, both of them unsure of what the next step was, yet unwilling to move away.

For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of their breathing and the quiet hum of the night, two people wrapped up in the magic of the kiss they'd just shared. Rebeca's heart was still racing, her entire body alive with the intensity of what had just passed between them. She didn't know what it all meant, but she knew one thing—this was just the beginning.

When they returned to the group, Rebeca couldn't stop the smile on her face. The kiss had left her feeling completely breathless, and Rafe's hand rested comfortably at the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd.

As they joined the others, Sarah raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing grin. Rebeca was sure Sarah had seen everything, but she said nothing, just nudging Rafe lightly.

"Alright, lovebirds, no more distracting each other," Sarah teased.

Rafe shot her a playful glare but seemed secretly pleased.

The rest of the night went by in a blur of laughter, lighthearted teasing, and an odd sense of warmth that made Rebeca feel like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

When they stepped outside later, away from the noise of the group, Rafe kissed her again. This time, it was even slower, more deliberate, as if he couldn't get enough of her. The kiss deepened, and Rebeca felt her heart race, her whole body reacting to him in a way she didn't fully understand.

When they pulled apart, both of them a little breathless, Rafe leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear.

"I'm not letting you go," he whispered.

Rebeca's chest fluttered again, her mind racing with thoughts of what was happening between them. She couldn't explain it, but she knew one thing for sure—whatever this was, it was just the beginning.

And for once, she wasn't scared.

Rebeca couldn't help but smile as she drove home that night, the memory of his kisses lingering on her lips. She had always been careful, always in control, but somehow Rafe had managed to turn her world upside down without even trying.

As she pulled into her driveway, she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—she was finally ready to let go.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Later that evening, Rebeca was stretched out on her couch, scrolling aimlessly through her phone when it buzzed with a text. Her heart leapt when she saw Rafe's name pop up on the screen. She hesitated for only a second before opening it.

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
hey trouble, i was
just wondering...

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
do you ever actually smile
when you're working or
do i get the special treatment?

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
lol

becks 🌺
special treatment?
u must be joking

becks 🌺
lol

raf-e-spresso 🕶️

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
answer the damn question becks

becks 🌺
what the FUCK

becks 🌺
did sarah BEAT YOU
with a pan ??

becks 🌺
because WHAT ARE THOSE HAIR

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
you're actively avoiding
my question it's not funny

becks 🌺
well FINE

becks 🌺
i do sometimes

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
so like...99% of the time
i'm there i guess

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
glad i'm not imagining
things trouble

becks 🌺

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
REBECA

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
WHAT IS THAT

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
i look like a dork

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
I'M SUEING YOU

becks 🌺
that's because u are

becks 🌺
this is my revenge for
YOUR bullying

becks 🌺
you have too much of a
big ego rafey

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
takes one to one babe

becks 🌺

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
rebeca martinez

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
this is the hottest thing EVER now
cause you're replying with horrendous
photos of yourself !!!

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
honestly i think i'm in love

becks 🌺
ur impossible

becks 🌺
and BTW i'm always hot
what are u saying ???

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
my apologies

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
you're right becks

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
that's why i hit on you
so hard btw

becks 🌺
rafey

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
yeah babe ???

becks 🌺
i'm really tired

becks 🌺
you're coming tmrw?

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
rebeca are you talking
hieroglyph ???

becks 🌺
ha. really funny

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
just kidding

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
but yeah tomorrow
i'm coming to lunch with u

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
i'll take you out to have a
decent meal LOL

becks 🌺
YKW DEAL

becks 🌺
see you tomorrow then

becks 🌺

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
you're so beautiful becks

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
i wish i was that pillow

raf-e-spresso 🕶️
sweet dreams babe ;)

She set her phone down, her cheeks aching from how much she was smiling. Despite herself, she couldn't stop replaying his words in her mind, the warmth in her chest lingering long after their conversation ended.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

The next day, Rebeca couldn't stop the small smile that played at her lips as she worked behind the counter. It was a slower day, the kind that let her mind wander—and recently, her thoughts seemed to be stuck on one person. The kiss with Rafe replayed in her head in vivid detail, every stolen moment and whispered word etched into her memory, and she couldn't wait to meet him for lunch like he promised.

Her good mood, however, didn't escape the notice of Casey, who was rearranging a display of muffins with exaggerated purpose. "Alright, spill," Casey said, leaning against the counter with a smirk that screamed nosy coworker.

Rebeca glanced up from the espresso machine, one brow arched. "Spill what?"

"Oh, come on, don't play coy." Casey waved a hand at her. "You've been all... sunshine and rainbows today. Which is weird for you. Did you get laid or something?"

Rebeca's cheeks burned, and she shot Casey a sharp glare. "What is wrong with you?"

Casey shrugged, unfazed. "Just calling it like I see it. You're glowing or whatever. You've got that 'someone kissed me senseless' look. Spill."

Rebeca groaned, pulling a cup from the stack with more force than necessary. "I swear, Casey, if you don't drop this, I'm going to—"

"Oh my God, you totally did." Casey clapped her hands together, eyes wide with mock shock. "Who is it? Oh wait, let me guess—mysterious guy who keeps coming in for espresso? What's his name again? Ryan? Ray?"

"It's Rafe," Rebeca muttered before she could stop herself, then immediately regretted it.

Casey gasped. "It is him! Oh, this is juicy. No wonder he keeps staring at you like you're the last slice of pie in the bakery."

Rebeca buried her face in her hands, groaning. "Can you not be so loud about it?"

Casey leaned closer, grinning like she'd won the lottery. "Oh, come on. I'm your coworker. This is prime gossip material. Does he kiss as good as he looks?"

Rebeca grabbed a dish towel and snapped it in Casey's direction. "I'm not talking about this with you."

Casey dodged the towel, laughing. "Fine, fine. But just know I'm rooting for you two, broody and sunshine. What a vibe."

Before Rebeca could respond with another glare, it was lunch break time.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Rebeca sat at the small table outside the café, her phone resting on the surface next to her half-empty iced coffee. The early afternoon sun was warm, and the slight breeze carried the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery next door. She glanced at her watch for the fifth time, biting her lip.

Rafe was late.

It wasn't like him. Well, okay, it wasn't entirely out of character—he had a habit of being a little unpredictable. But he'd been doing so well recently. He'd been steady, showing up when he said he would, even sending her quick texts when his day got busy.

Her thumb hovered over the screen of her phone. Should she text him? Call him? No, she told herself. He's probably just running late. Maybe he overslept.

The thought made her chuckle softly. She could picture him now, groaning into his pillow, hair sticking up in every direction as he scrambled to find his phone. Still, a tiny knot of unease began to form in her stomach.

By the time fifteen more minutes had passed, that knot had grown. She tapped her fingers on the table, trying to focus on the steady rhythm to calm herself. Maybe he forgot. Or maybe something came up.

But he would have texted.

Wouldn't he?

Her phone buzzed then, and relief flooded her chest—until she saw the name on the screen.

Rafe.

She swiped to answer, her voice light with forced humor. "You're late, Cameron. What's your excuse this time?"

But the voice on the other end wasn't Rafe's.

"Rebeca?" The sound of Sarah Cameron's voice sent a chill down her spine.

"Sarah?" she asked, confused. "What's—why are you—"

"It's Rafe," Sarah interrupted, her voice trembling. "He... he overdosed."

Rebeca's heart stopped. The world seemed to tilt beneath her, the familiar sounds of the bustling street fading into a dull roar. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"He's at the hospital," Sarah said, and Rebeca could hear the strain in her voice. "He's stable now, but—he's asking for you."

Rebeca's mind raced, the words not fully registering. Rafe. Overdosed. Hospital. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white.

"I—I'll be there," she managed to say, her voice shaking.

Sarah gave her the name of the hospital, and Rebeca ended the call, staring at her phone as if it might suddenly explain everything.

Rafe had been doing better. He'd been fine. They'd kissed. He'd smiled at her, teased her, given her flowers. How could this have happened?

Her breathing quickened, and she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady the erratic thudding of her heart. She couldn't fall apart now. He needed her.

She stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the pavement, and hurried back into the café. Casey was at the counter, arranging pastries with her usual cheerful efficiency.

"Hey, you're back already?" Casey said, glancing up. But her smile faded when she saw Rebeca's face. "Whoa, what's wrong?"

Rebeca swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "I—I have to go. It's an emergency."

Casey frowned, stepping closer. "What happened?"

"It's Rafe," she said, her voice breaking. The tears she'd been holding back threatened to spill, but she blinked them away. "He's in the hospital."

Casey's eyes widened. "Oh my God. Do you need me to cover for you? Or—"

Rebeca nodded quickly. "Yeah. Thanks. I'll—I'll explain later."

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her bag and rushed out the door, her legs moving on autopilot as her mind swirled with panic and fear.

The walk to the bus stop felt like a blur. She barely registered the people around her, the honking of cars, or the chatter of passersby. Her only thought was Rafe—his smile, his laugh, the way he'd looked at her like she was the only person who mattered.

What if she lost him?

The thought hit her like a punch to the gut, and she had to stop for a moment, leaning against a lamppost to catch her breath. Tears streamed down her face now, and she didn't bother wiping them away.

Finally, the bus arrived, and she climbed on, sinking into a seat near the window. She clutched her phone tightly, staring at the screen as if willing it to bring her some reassurance. But there was nothing. Just silence and the overwhelming weight of uncertainty.

When the hospital came into view, her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know what she would find when she walked through those doors, but one thing was certain—she wasn't leaving until she saw him. Until she knew he was okay.

And when she finally saw him, lying in that hospital bed, his usual confidence replaced by vulnerability, her heart broke all over again. But even then, as her eyes met his, she knew one thing with absolute certainty.

She wasn't going anywhere.

━━━━━ author's note !
okay...DON'T BEAT ME UP PLEASE !!!
i just had to put a little angst at the end, but believe me, i'll be worth it as the next one is going to be the last chapter !!! i could never write a bad ending for our boy because he deserves happiness 🥹🥹🥹

see you on the next and last chapter babes !!

let me know what you think and give a little star 🌟 if you like! interact pls i would really appreciate

thanks for the attention 💗