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My feet move before I think. The paper in my hand crinkles as I walk barefoot to the front door.

I pause.

Then I twist the handle and pull it open.

Nate is sitting outside in the hallway, hoodie up, arms resting on his knees, like he’s been there for hours.

He doesn’t look up right away.

But when he does, his eyes meet mine. Hopeful. Hesitant. Open.

Standing there with tears rolling down my cheeks, I don’t say anything.

And neither does he.

Instead, I step out into the hallway, sink down beside him on the carpet, and slip my hand into his.

His fingers close around mine like he was waiting.

Maybe he was.

Maybe I was too.

And maybe this is the beginning of everything.

Chapter twenty-five

Nate

Her hand is small in mine. Warm. Soft. It fits so naturally, like it’s always belonged there. And maybe it has. Maybe I was too cocky or too scared to see it clearly until now.

We sit there for a while. In silence. Not awkward, just full. Full of everything that hasn’t been said, everything that’s piled up since the last time we looked each other in the eye without armor.

I finally glance over at her. “Hey.”

Mandy shifts, her eyes still glassy from the tears, but her voice is steady. “Hey.”

I nudge her shoulder gently. “Wanna go inside?”

She nods. We both stand and walk back into her apartment, our fingers still laced together. She leads me to the couch,drops down onto the cushions, and pulls her knees up like she’s bracing herself.

I sit beside her but don’t crowd. Not yet. Let her breathe.

Mandy speaks first.

“I was scared.”

I turn toward her.

She continues. “Of how much you mean. Of what this could be. And how fast it happened, at least for me.”

I kneel down in front of her, settling on the rug so I can meet her at eye level.

“You’re not a distraction,” I say, low and sure. “You’re the reason I play better.”

Her throat bobs. Her eyes shine again.

I keep going. “I don’t want space from you. I want your stress. Your all-nighters. Your ranting about contract clauses and late-night caffeine crashes. All of it. You’re not temporary, Mandy. You never were. And I should’ve told you that more.”