I woke up disoriented, my mind foggy from sleep. It took me a moment to remember where I was and what had happened. As the events of the previous night trickled back into my mind, I realized that Jayden was still asleep beside me, his body still pressed against mine.

I stifled a yawn and looked around, trying to get bearings. The living room was dim, the only light source coming from the streetlights filtering in through the windows. I looked down at Jayden, his face relaxed in sleep, his head still resting against my shoulder.

His arm was still around my waist, his fingers loosely digging into my side. The closeness of our bodies sent a shiver down my spine, and I was suddenly very aware of how... intimate this position was. I shook off the feeling, scolding myself for even thinking about it.

I tried to sit up a bit, but Jayden stirred at the movement, his eyes fluttering open. He looked at me blearily, a confused expression on his face. "Hannah...?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Hey," I replied softly, feeling suddenly self-conscious as he looked up at me. "How are you feeling?"

He rubbed at his eyes, still groggy from sleep. "Wha...?" he mumbled, looking around the room as if trying to piece together what had happened. "What's going on? Why are you here?"

I sighed, preparing myself for the inevitable explanation. "You were very drunk last night," I began, keeping my tone neutral. "You called me to come pick you up from the club. You don't remember any of that?"

He shook his head, a frown creasing his forehead. "No... No, I don't remember anything," he mumbled. He was still pressed close against me, and his hand was still on my waist, making it hard for me to think clearly.

"Well," I said, trying to maintain my cool, "you were drunk off your ass. I brought you back here to sleep it off. And you... um, sort of... fell asleep on me."

He was quiet for a moment, clearly trying to process this information. "I... fell asleep on you?" he repeated, disbelief in his voice. He finally seemed to register our current position, his eyes widening a bit as he realized how close we actually were.

He pulled back slightly, removing his arm from around my waist and breaking the intimate contact. "Shit... I'm sorry," he muttered, his cheeks flushing a bit. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't have invaded your personal space like that."

"It's okay," I assured him, trying to shrug it off even though my heart was still beating a little too fast. "You were drunk. You weren't exactly in control of your actions."

He rubbed a hand over his face, looking sheepish. "God, I must have looked like such an idiot last night," he groaned. "And I don't even remember any of it. It's all a complete blank."

I chuckled, unable to help myself. "Oh, you were definitely an idiot," I confirmed, feeling a pang of schadenfreude. "You were so drunk you thought I was your personal pillow."

He grimaced, clearly embarrassed but taking it in good humor. "Yeah, I can believe that," he admitted. "At least I didn't do anything else embarrassing, right?"

I thought back to the night before, recalling how he had insisted on holding onto me, how he had mumbled my name in his sleep. I decided to keep that to myself. "Nah, that was about it," I lied, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Thank god," he said, looking relieved. "I was worried I might have said or done something completely moronic."

He paused, a thought seeming to occur to him. "Wait... so you just... sat here with me while I slept?"

"Yeah, pretty much," I confirmed, hoping my blush was subtle enough to go unnoticed. "Not much else I could do, since you refused to move and were a deadweight on top of me."

He winced, looking mortified. "God, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I was that out of it."

He pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing at his temple as if he was trying to push away a headache.

"Hey, don't worry about it," I said, trying to downplay his embarrassment. "It wasn't a big deal. I could have moved your ass if I really wanted to."

He gave me a crooked smile. "I have no doubt about that. You seem pretty strong."

There was a pause, the quiet of the room suddenly feeling more intense. Jayden seemed to be studying me, his gaze focused and unwavering.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling a bit self-conscious with his stare.

He was silent for another moment, as if weighing his words. "Can I ask you something?" he finally said, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.

My heart skipped a beat at his unexpected question. "Um, sure," I said, my voice coming out a notch higher than I would have liked. "Ask away."

He shifted on the couch, turning more fully towards me. His knee brushed against mine and I had to resist the urge to flinch back. "It's... kind of personal," he said, looking a bit uncharacteristically sheepish.

I tried to keep my voice casual. "Hey, you've already been all over me while you were drunk. How much more personal could it get?"

He chuckled at that, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Yeah, good point," he admitted. "But still... can I ask you something? And you have to be completely honest with me."

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. "Sure," I said, my voice a bit shaky. "Fire away."

He looked me directly in the eye, his gaze intense. His knee was still touching mine, sending little sparks of electricity through me.

"Last night, when I was so drunk," he began. "Did I say or do anything, um, inappropriate?"

I took a moment to consider, my mind flickering back to his incoherent rambling and how he insisted on holding me. "Well," I said slowly, "you seemed pretty adamant about keeping me close to you. You kept mumbling my name, and... you were holding onto me pretty tightly."

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I'm such an idiot," he mumbled, his voice muffled. "I'm so sorry."

I chuckled, feeling a bit bad for making him embarrassed. "Hey, it's fine. You were drunk. I know you didn't mean anything by it."

He looked up at me, still looking mortified. "No, really. I don't want you to think that I was taking advantage of you or something." The words rushed out of his mouth urgently.

"Jayden, seriously," I said, trying to keep my tone lighthearted. "It was a non-event. You were so drunk you probably don't even remember most of it. Stop beating yourself up about it."

He didn't look entirely convinced, but he nodded grudgingly. "Yeah, you're right," he mumbled. "I still feel pretty bad about it, though."

There was a beat of silence, and then he said, "Can I ask you something else?"

I nodded, feeling a bit wary of his questions but intrigued all the same. "Sure. Shoot."

He took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for my response. "Okay, this might sound weird," he began, his voice uncharacteristically self-conscious. "But there's something I've wanted to ask you for a while now. And I've been struggling to find the right time and way to do it."

My curiosity was piqued. "Go ahead," I encouraged, not quite sure what to expect.

He leaned back against the couch, a nonchalant smile on his face. "I was thinking... You and me should go out sometime. On a date, you know?"

His tone was casual, almost throwaway, as if he wasn't asking a loaded question. But there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes, as if he was bracing himself for me to reject him.

My heart rate picked up speed, my mind struggling to process his words. "You want to go out on a date?" I repeated, just to make sure I hadn't misheard him.

He nodded, still trying to maintain the façade of nonchalance. "Yeah, like, a nice dinner, or a concert, or a movie... something like that. Just, you know, the two of us."

I stared at him for a moment, taken aback by his boldness. "You... want to go on a date with me?" I echoed again, still struggling to believe what I was hearing.

He met my gaze, the casual mask slipping slightly. "Yeah, I do," he said, his voice softer now, more genuine. "Is that really so hard to believe?"

"I mean, kind of," I admitted bluntly. "You've never really given any indication that you... like me like that."

He chuckled softly, his smile turning a bit rueful. "Yeah, I suppose I haven't been exactly subtle, have I?" he mused. "But that's because I've been too chicken to ask you earlier. I didn't think you'd be interested."

I was surprised by my lack of hesitation as the word slipped out. "Yes," I heard myself saying before I could stop myself. "I'd love to go on a date with you, Jay."

His eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn't quite expected me to agree instantly. But then a wide grin spread over his face, making him look incredibly attractive. "Yeah?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "You'll go out with me?"

I found myself returning his smile, a giddy feeling spreading through my chest. "Yeah," I repeated, feeling a bit giddy myself. "I'll go out with you."

He let out a breath that he'd been holding, looking relieved. "Damn, I wasn't quite expecting you to say yes this easily," he admitted with a chuckle.

I laughed, feeling a fluttering in my stomach. "What, did you think I'd turn you down?" I teased.

"To be honest, yes," he admitted sheepishly. "I was expecting more resistance. A bit more... reluctance. Maybe even a flat-out rejection, if I'm being completely honest."

I gave him a faux incredulous look. "Jayden, why on earth would I reject you? You're Jayden Freaking Daniels. You can literally have anyone you want."

He chuckled again, shrugging nonchalantly. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you'd be interested in me." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on mine. "Besides, I don't want just anyone. I want you."

My heart fluttered at his directness. "Why me?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Why not some famous supermodel or a pop star or something?"

He rolled his eyes at that, chuckling again. "Seriously? You're gorgeous, you're smart, you're feisty, and you don't put up with any of my crap," he listed, counting off on his fingers. "Why would I want anyone else?" Jay shrugged.

I couldn't help but smile at his compliments, a warm feeling spreading through me. "Wow, you can be pretty smooth when you want to be," I remarked, feeling my cheeks heat up slightly.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash, holding it out to me. "Here," he said, looking amused. "Go get yourself a pretty dress for our date. My treat."

I raised an eyebrow at the amount of cash he was handing over. "This is a bit much for just a dress, don't you think?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, I can afford it," he said, a hint of arrogance in his tone. "Besides, I want you to look extra gorgeous for our date. So go ahead and treat yourself."

Reluctantly, I took the money from his hand. "Alright, I suppose I can't say no to a free shopping spree," I muttered, a hint of begrudging excitement in my voice. "I'll be back."

I left the house, still unable to believe what had just happened. Jayden Daniels had asked me out. Me. And given me a wad of cash to buy a dress for our date. The thought was too surreal to fully process.

As I walked through the mall, I was on a mission. I rifled through rack after rack, trying to find the perfect dress to wear for my date with Jayden. Finally, I found it: a gorgeous short black dress with long sleeves, trimmed with soft, fuzzy fur at the cuffs and collar. It looked both elegant and seductive, and I knew it would look great on me.

I quickly paid for the dress and hurried back to Jayden's house, excitement and nerves buzzing inside me. I couldn't believe that I was actually going on a date with him. I had always harbored a bit of a crush on him, but never expected anything to actually come of it. Now, though, it was happening, and I couldn't deny the butterflies in my stomach.

I walked back into his house, clutching the shopping bag with the dress in it. "I'm back," I called out, hoping I didn't sound as jittery as I felt.

I closed the door behind me, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Jayden must have heard me come in, as he emerged from the living room, looking curious. "Hey, welcome back," he greeted, his eyes falling on the shopping bag in my hand. "You found a dress already?"

"Yep," I said, holding the bag away from him. "But you're not allowed to see it yet. It's a surprise."

He chuckled, looking amused by my insistence. "Okay, okay, fair enough," he relented, holding his hands up in surrender. "I won't sneak a peek. I'll just have to wait for the big reveal."

The evening of the date arrived, and I was standing in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection. The black dress looked even better on me than I had imagined. The long sleeves hugged my arms, and the fuzzy fur trim at the sleeves and collar gave the dress a touch of playfulness. I paired it with a pair of black heels and some minimal jewelry, wanting to let the dress be the main attraction.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror, feeling both nervous and excited. I grabbed my coat and my purse and headed downstairs to the living room, where Jayden was waiting.

When I walked into the room, Jayden's eyes widened slightly as he took me in. "Damn," he said, sounding almost impressed. "You look... wow."

"Thank you," I said, feeling a bit self-conscious under his intense gaze. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He was wearing a dark suit with a crisp white shirt, sans tie. The look was casual yet classy, and it made him look even more handsome than usual.

"You ready to go?" He asked, straightening his suit jacket. I nodded, feeling butterflies fluttering in my stomach. "Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to sound casual.

We arrive at the restaurant, a fancy Italian place that Jayden had reserved a table for. It was a upscale place, with dimly lit interior and soft music playing in the background. The maitre d' leads us to our table next to the window overlooking the city.

We settle into our seats, ordering some wine and perusing the menu. The waiter brings over a basket of bread and takes our orders. I can feel Jayden's eyes on me as we wait for our food, and I try to focus on the menu, although I'm not actually reading anything.

We chat idly about mundane things – work, movies, the weather – and I begin to relax a little bit. Talking to Jayden doesn't feel as nerve-wracking as I thought it would. He's charming, funny, and easy to talk to, and I feel myself falling into the same old familiar rhythm that we've always shared.

Our food arrives – pasta for me and steak for him – and we fall into a comfortable silence as we dig in. The food is delicious, and I can't help but let out a small moan of pleasure as I take a bite. Jayden smirks at me, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

"That good, huh?" He teases, spearing a piece of steak with his fork. "Might have to get you to make that sound again later."

My fork paused halfway to my mouth as I heard his words, my cheeks immediately heating up. "I... excuse me?" I gasped, completely flustered by his suggestive comment.

Jayden chuckles at my reaction, his eyes sparkling with laughter. "Relax, I was just joking," he assures me, holding up his hands. "I didn't mean to make you choke on your food."

He leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his wine. "Seriously, I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable," he said, his tone sincere. "I don't want you to think that I'm some kind of creep. I asked you out because I genuinely like you, and I wanted to get to know you better."

His words make me feel a little better, and I relax a bit. "Thanks for saying that," I reply, giving him a small smile. "It means a lot to me. And for the record, I never thought you were a creep."

He grins, looking pleased at my words. "Good," he says, leaning forward again. "Because that's not the vibe I'm going for. I want to be the guy you can feel safe and comfortable with."

We continue our meal, chatting and laughing as we eat. I find myself getting lost in the moment, enjoying the food and Jayden's company. By the time we finish our meal, my initial nervousness has faded to a small hum in the background.

As we're finishing up our desserts, Jayden clears his throat. I look up at him, noticing the serious look in his eyes. "There's something I want to ask you," he says, his voice surprisingly soft.

"Okay," I say, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my chest. I set down my fork, giving him my full attention.

He pauses, his gaze meeting mine directly. "I know this might seem a little sudden, and I could totally be screwing things up here, but... I have to ask." He takes a deep breath, seeming suddenly unsure.

He speaks in Korean, taking me completely by surprise. "내 여자친구가 돼 줄래? (Will you be my girlfriend?)" 

I stare at him for a moment, stunned. I wasn't expecting him to switch languages on me, much less ask me that question. But the look in his eyes is steady and sincere, and I can hear the hesitance in his voice, as if he's afraid of my response.

I'm at a loss for words, my heart pounding in my chest. I know I've been developing feelings for Jayden, but I never expected things to move this quickly. But as I look at him, at the vulnerability and hope in his eyes, I know my answer without even thinking about it.

"Yes," I reply, speaking in English. "I'll be your girlfriend."

His face breaks into a relieved smile, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Yeah?" he asks, still as if he can't quite believe what I just said. "You mean that?"

I laugh softly at his disbelief, reaching across the table to take his hand. "Yeah, I mean it," I confirm, looking into his eyes. "I want to be your girlfriend, Jayden."

His hand closes around mine, warm and strong. "You have no idea how happy that makes me," he says, his voice low and rough. "I feel like I've won the freaking lottery, getting you to agree to be with me."

My cheeks heat up at his words, touched by his earnestness. "You haven't won the lottery," I tease, rolling my eyes. "But I'm happy too. Actually, scratch that, I'm ecstatic."

After settling the bill and leaving the restaurant, Jayden puts his hand on my lower back as he guides me out to the car. The night is cold, and I shiver as a gust of wind blows past us. He glances down at me, noticing my shiver, and immediately shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.

"Here, take this," he says, his voice gruff. "You'll freeze to death."  I pull the jacket tighter around me, feeling the warmth from his body still clinging to the fabric. "Thanks," I murmur, secretly relishing the possessive gesture.

We get into the car, and Jayden starts the engine, cranking up the heat. He glances over at me, his gaze lingering on my face. I can feel a new tension between us - a mix of excitement and expectation.

"So..." he says, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. "Now that you're officially my girlfriend and all... I have something else to ask you."

I turn toward him, curious. "What is it?" I ask, a hint of trepidation in my voice. His tone sounds serious, and I can't help but wonder what he's going to say.

"I was wondering..." he pauses, choosing his words carefully. "Is it okay for me to kiss you. You know, now that we're officially dating?"

I'm surprised by the question, but also touched by his consideration. I hadn't expected him to ask for permission. "Yeah, it's okay," I say, my voice soft. "You can kiss me if you want."

He lets out a breath, seeming relieved. Then he reaches over and cups my face in his hand, tilting my head up toward him. He leans in slowly, his eyes trained on mine, searching for any sign of hesitation.

I don't pull away. If anything, I lean in closer, my heart thudding loudly in my chest. His lips brush against mine softly, gently, as if he's nervous about spooking me.

But I'm not spooked. If anything, I'm the opposite. I reach up and place my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under my palm, fast and strong. I part my lips slightly, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

He takes the hint, kissing me more forcefully, more urgently. One hand cradles the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair, while the other wraps around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I melt against him, losing myself in the heat and intensity of the moment.

We break apart only when we're both out of breath, panting slightly. Jayden rests his forehead against mine, his dark eyes staring into mine. "Damn," he mutters, his voice rough. "You taste even better than I imagined."

I let out a breathless laugh, feeling a little dazed from the intensity of the kiss. "You're not so bad yourself," I retort, still trying to catch my breath.

I lean back against the seat, feeling a mixture of excitement and disappointment. I don't want the night to end, but I can feel the responsibilities of reality creeping back into my mind. "I should probably head back to my hotel," I say reluctantly. "I need to pack for my trip back to Atlanta tomorrow."

Jayden frowns, looking equally unhappy about the prospect of me leaving. "You sure you don't want to stay with me instead?" he asks, his hand resting on my leg.

I pause, mulling over his offer. Being with Jayden is tempting, but I also feel guilty about ditching Avery to pack by herself. "That's sweet of you," I reply. "But I still need to help Avery pack. I can't just leave her to do it alone."

Jayden nods understandingly. "I get it," he says. "How about this, then? I'll come over and help Avery with the packing too, and then afterwards you can come stay with me. How does that sound?"

I'm surprised by his generous offer. "Are you sure?" I ask, eyeing him suspiciously. "You don't have to do that." Its was almost like moving in.

"I'm positive," he replies firmly, squeezing my leg reassuringly. "I'm not going to let you go all the way back to Atlanta if I can help it. Plus, I don't mind helping Avery with the packing, as long as I get to spend time with you."

I can't deny the appeal of his offer, and a small part of me is secretly overjoyed at the thought of spending more time with him. "Alright, then," I concede, unable to suppress a smile. "Let's do it. But I'm warning you, Avery can be a bit...much. Don't say I didn't warn you."

@hannahkoo: date night 🤎
Liked by thatkidjayden, saweetie, and 30k others

@user1: body so tea

@user2: hannah in her lover girl era

@averyshutupzz: I KNEW ITTT

@user3: i see ya livin gurl !!

@kaylor.martin: so hot