The soft hum of the city in the distance, the scent of strawberries still lingering in the air, and the steady warmth of Jasper's presence beside her made everything feel surreal. After a while, Alex glanced sideways and saw his eyes still closed, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"You're not actually asleep, are you?" she asked.
"Nope," he replied, eyes opening slowly. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
He tilted his head toward her. "About how this started with a project and now we're here… You, in a red dress, and me completely bewitched."
Alex looked down, hiding a grin. "You're cheesy."
"Only for you."
She nudged him playfully. "Okay, Shakespeare."
He chuckled, then sat up straighter. "Alright, beautiful overachiever, as much as I'd like to freeze this moment forever, I should probably get you home before your parents declare me a bad influence."
Alex sighed. "Yeah… probably."
Jasper stood, offering his hand with a dramatic flourish. "Milady, may I escort you to your chariot?"
She took it, trying not to smile too hard. "You're ridiculous."
"And yet, strangely charming."
They climbed into the car again—this time, with the top still down, the wind brushing against her cheeks as he drove through the quiet night. The stars faded slowly behind them as the city came back into view, but something soft and electric remained in the space between them.
When they pulled up in front of her house, Jasper put the car in park and turned to her. "I had a great time tonight."
"Me too," Alex said, her voice soft.
"You saved me from a terrible party and let me feed you strawberries. Honestly, I owe you big time."
She smirked. "You kinda do."
"Then let's call this the first of many make-ups. Or… make-believe dates. Unless you're into making them real."
Alex blinked, caught off guard, then recovered quickly. "I'll think about it."
He leaned in, close enough to brush her cheek with his breath. "Don't think too long."
As he walked her to her house, on the porch it's happened.
Saturday Morning
Alex lay on her bed the next morning, sunlight streaming gently through the curtains and casting a golden hue over everything. Her room was quiet, but her mind was anything but. One arm was folded under her head, the other resting on her stomach — but her fingers slowly rose, brushing lightly over her lips as if trying to capture the ghost of something that lingered there.
The kiss.
It hadn't been hurried or clumsy. It had been soft and intentional, like the kind of kiss you only dream of getting at the end of a perfect night. The kind of kiss that lingered long after it ended. Jasper hadn't said anything before leaning in. He just looked at her like he was memorizing her face, then pressed his lips gently against hers, fingers brushing her cheek like she was made of stardust and glass.
Now, lying in the safety of her room, Alex couldn't stop replaying it.
Her cheeks flushed, not just from embarrassment or surprise, but from the strange fluttering warmth in her chest. It was foreign, exhilarating… and terrifying.
She turned onto her side, pulling her blanket up to her chin, staring at the wall like it held the answers.
He kissed me.
It wasn't a prank. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a dream.
And even worse… she liked it.
A soft buzz pulled her out of her thoughts. Her phone, face down on the nightstand, vibrated again. She reached for it and flipped it over.
Jasper: Morning, gorgeous. Did I ruin strawberries for you forever, or can I tempt you again next time?
She smiled despite herself and rolled onto her back again.
Tempting, arrogant, smooth-talking Shakespeare.
Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard.
What should she say?
Alex stared at the message for a moment, biting her lip as a slow grin crept across her face. She typed, then backspaced. Typed again. No, too eager. She sighed and finally settled on something simple but teasing.
Alex: Depends. Will there be threats, Shakespeare quotes, and you looking at me like I'm your favorite story?
She hit send before she could overthink it. Almost immediately, the typing bubble appeared.
Jasper: Only if you promise to keep looking at me like I'm the last page you want to reread.
Alex let out a laugh, covering her face with her hands. Why did he have to be like this? How was she supposed to keep pretending she was in control of anything when he spoke like that?
Her phone buzzed again.
Jasper: Also, just saying… you looked unfairly stunning last night. I'm filing a complaint. No warning, no mercy, just… bam. Heart gone.
She rolled over, burying her face in her pillow, groaning softly.
This was getting dangerous.
After a minute, she replied:
Alex: Not my fault you have a weak heart. Maybe you need a doctor.
Jasper: Nah. I think I need you.
Her heart did a weird little flip, and a warm flush crept up her neck. She tossed her phone aside with a huff, not because she was annoyed—but because she couldn't stop grinning.
Dragging herself out of bed, she got dressed and padded downstairs for breakfast.
The second she stepped into the kitchen, she regretted it.
Phil looked up from the newspaper with a knowing smirk. "Well, well, look who finally woke up. Sleep well, party princess?"
Haley practically squealed. "Oh my god, what happened last night? I've never seen you smile that much in a year!"
Luke narrowed his eyes dramatically. "You were gone for a while .Did you go somewhere mysterious? Did he kiss you? Wait, did he kiss you and then vanish into the night like Batman?"
Claire turned around with her coffee mug, eyeing Alex's expression. "And you still haven't told me what exactly happened."
Alex groaned, rubbing her temples. "Can I eat my toast in peace without being interrogated like a criminal?"
Phil grinned. "Only if you admit that the kid's got some serious charm. I like him."
"Of course you do," Claire muttered, half to herself. "You're too busy being dazzled by his vintage car and bad-boy charm to notice he's been... influencing her."
Haley giggled. "Influencing her to wear red dresses and live a little. Honestly, about time."
Alex, still red in the face, grabbed a slice of toast and sat down, muttering under her breath, "This is why I don't tell you people anything."
But despite her embarrassment, she couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips… or the way her fingers absentmindedly traced her bottom lip again, remembering that kiss.
As Alex stirred her tea, still dodging glances from her grinning family, her phone buzzed beside her plate.
Jasper: What are you doing for the holidays, gorgeous?
She smiled, fingers tapping quickly on the screen.
Alex: I'll be building houses with Habitat for Humanity. Going with a few classmates from school.
It took a moment, but then his reply came.
Jasper: You're actually out there saving the world. It saddens me that I won't be able to see you. How will I survive without my beautiful overachiever for two whole weeks?
She rolled her eyes and bit her lip, trying not to smile too obviously in front of everyone.
Alex: You'll manage. You're very dramatic for someone who just threatened to beat a guy half to death last night.
Jasper: Dramatic? I was heroic. Like a knight defending his lady's honor.
Alex: You're lucky I like knights...
She caught herself, cheeks heating again, and quickly set her phone down. Claire noticed.
"Texting him ?" she asked, pretending to be casual but failing.
Phil chuckled. "Let the girl live, Claire. She's finally acting like a teenager."
Alex hid her grin with another sip of tea.
Her phone buzzed again.
Jasper: Promise me I get to see you when you come back.
Alex: We'll see, Shakespeare.
Jasper: Then I'll be waiting like a heartbroken poet under the moonlight.
Alex shook her head with a laugh. Maybe she should miss him a little too.