Page 26 of Beanful Wishes

I grin, not even trying to hide my interest. "Maybe. Those fries look awfully tempting."

He pushes his plate slightly towards me. "Help yourself."

I reach over and snag one of the fries. "Don't mind if I do," I say with a wink, popping it into my mouth.

Jake laughs, and I marvel at how comfortable this feels. Being here with him, sharing food and conversation, it all feels so natural. Like we've been doing this for years instead of having our first real date.

As the server clears our plates, I lean back in my chair, a contented smile on my face. "This was perfect, Jake. Thank you for a beautiful evening."

"The pleasure was all mine," he replies, his sincerity evident in his warm gaze. "Though the night doesn't have to end unless you’re ready to go home.”

I take a sip of ice water to cool the nerves that are coming back alive. “What do you have in mind?”

His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “We could take a walk along the riverwalk. The view of the city lights on the water is beautiful this time of night."

My heart skips a beat at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect."

As we stand to leave, Jake offers me his hand. I take it without hesitation, intertwining my fingers with his, and the simple touch sends a jolt through me, straight to my heart.

“You’re shivering.” Jake lets go of my hand and shrugs out of his jacket as we stroll along the riverwalk. The evening breeze off the Cape Fear River has a distinct fall chill to it. The city lights dance on the water's surface, creating a magical atmosphere.

He drapes it over my shoulders. The warmth of the fabric, infused with his scent, envelops me.

"Thank you.” I’m touched by his thoughtfulness.

He smiles softly, reclaiming my hand. "Can't have you freezing on me."

We continue our leisurely walk, content to simply enjoy each other's presence. The quiet between us feels comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding.

We pass under a street lamp, its warm glow illuminating Jake's features. I gently tug on his hand, bringing us to a stop.

"Jake," I say, my heart racing as I turn to face him fully. His eyes, curious and warm, meet mine, and I find myself momentarily lost in their depths. "I just... I wanted to tell you how much I admire you. How grateful I am for our partnership."

His expression softens, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. I press on, the words tumbling out. "Working on the Wishing Wall projects has made such a difference in my life. It's not just about the stories or the community impact, though those are incredible. It's also boosting my profile at work. I'm getting more serious assignments, more recognition."

There’s a subtle shift in Jake's expression as he listens. The warmth in his eyes dims, and a shadow seems to pass over his face. He's trying to hide it, but I can see a flicker of disappointment.

"That's great, Sophia. I'm happy for you," he says, his voice not quite matching the sentiment.

My heart races when I recognize the misunderstanding. It's time to lay all my cards on the table.

"Jake, no," I say quickly, reaching up to cup his cheek with my free hand. His eyes widen slightly at the contact. "That's not... I mean, yes, all of that is true, but it's about so much more than that."

“It is?” He doesn’t move, doesn’t blink.

"There's something between us, Jake. Something special. Something worth exploring. At least... if that's something you're interested in." I can’t read his expression, and for a heartbeat I worry he isn’t.

"Sophia," he says, his voice low and intense. "I'm very interested."

Before I can respond, Jake leans down, closing the distance between us. His lips meet mine, and suddenly the world around us disappears. The kiss is soft at first, tentative, as if he's giving me a chance to pull away. But as I respond, sliding my hand from his cheek to the nape of his neck, it deepens.

Jake's arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer as his other hand tangles in my hair. The passion in his kiss is overwhelming, filled with weeks of unspoken longing and desire.My knees go weak, and I'm grateful for his strong embrace holding me up.

I lose track of time as we stand there, lost in each other. When we finally part, both breathless, I keep my eyes closed for a moment, savoring the lingering sensation of his lips on mine.

When I open them, I find Jake watching me with an expression of awe and affection that makes my heart soar.

Chapter Twelve

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