Nessa had been lounging on her bed, the faint hum of music playing in the background as she absentmindedly scrolled through Instagram, when her phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced at the notification and saw Rob's name pop up.

Rob: "Hey, you free to hang out? Just you and me."

Her heart skipped a beat at the text. Just you and me. Those words felt loaded after everything that happened at Tara's party. They hadn't talked about that kiss-the kiss she impulsively initiated after pulling him aside, using the loud music and alcohol as her excuse. And now, here he was, texting her like nothing had changed. But something had changed. For her, at least.

Nessa: "Like... a date?"

Her fingers hesitated over the send button for a second before she pressed it. The suspense killed her as she waited for his response, staring at the three dots that appeared on her screen. A few seconds later, his reply came through.

Rob: "So you want it to be a date? Because I can make it happen 😉."

Nessa's heart thumped in her chest. Was he teasing? Flirting? She wasn't sure, but his message left the door wide open.

Nessa: "I don't know... are you asking me on a date? 😏"

She tried to play it cool, but internally, her nerves were bouncing all over the place. The three dots appeared again, and she waited, eyes fixed on the screen.

Rob: "I mean, if you want to call it a date, sure. But I was thinking something chill. We could hang out. But if you're feeling something more, I'm down to step up my game."

Nessa: "Okay, let's hang out. But I'll hold you to that 'step up your game' part. 😉"

Rob: "Deal. I'll pick you up at 7."

She tossed her phone onto the bed and let out a deep breath. So, it's not a date. But maybe it is? Her thoughts were all over the place. Rob always had that way of keeping things relaxed and casual, never giving away too much. But the kiss at the party-it wasn't just nothing. There had to be more there.

As the clock neared 7, Nessa was still pacing around her room, overthinking everything. She tried on a couple of outfits before finally settling on something simple but cute-a little black dress paired with a denim jacket, just enough to keep it casual while still looking like she'd put some thought into it. She wasn't going to overdo it, but if Rob was going to "step up his game," she would too.

When the doorbell rang, her heart fluttered. She grabbed her phone and keys, then took one last look in the mirror. As she opened the door, there he was-Rob, leaning casually against the doorframe, looking effortlessly cool in his hoodie and jeans. His dark hair was a bit tousled, and his easy grin made her instantly feel at ease.

"Hey," he greeted, his eyes scanning her outfit for a brief second. "You look nice."

"You too," she replied, trying to sound casual while fighting off a blush.

"You ready?" he asked, nodding toward his car.

"Yep," she said, locking the door behind her.

As they drove, the conversation flowed easily. Rob had always been good at making her laugh, his laid-back humor and charm disarming her like always. They talked about random stuff-movies they'd seen, music they were into, and even Tara's wild party. But there was this undercurrent now, something different, something unspoken, lingering between them ever since that kiss.

"So, where are we going?" Nessa asked, glancing at him curiously as they drove through town.

Rob shot her a quick smile. "It's a surprise. Don't worry, though, nothing too crazy."

After a few more minutes, they pulled up to a small, cozy restaurant tucked away in a quiet part of the city. The soft glow from the lights inside gave the place an intimate feel. It wasn't fancy or upscale, but there was something special about it-like the kind of spot only locals knew about.

"Nice pick," Nessa said as they walked in.

"Figured it's a good place to start," Rob replied, holding the door open for her.

They were seated at a small table by the window, with candles flickering in the dim light. Nessa couldn't help but feel like this was... more than just hanging out. As the evening went on, they ordered food, and the conversation stayed light, full of the usual jokes and playful banter. But every now and then, Nessa caught Rob looking at her a little longer than usual, his gaze lingering in a way that made her pulse quicken.

Halfway through their meal, Rob leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying her. "So," he started, a playful grin tugging at his lips, "about that kiss at Tara's party..."

Nessa felt her heart jump into her throat. There it was-the topic they'd both been dancing around all evening. She forced a laugh, trying to play it off. "Oh, yeah, that."

Rob raised an eyebrow. "What? You gonna blame that one on the alcohol?"

"Well," Nessa said, biting her lip, "maybe... but maybe not entirely."

His smile widened, but there was a seriousness in his eyes now. "Good to know."

For a second, everything else seemed to fade away. The noise of the restaurant, the soft hum of the background music-it all fell away as Rob leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Just so you know," he continued, his voice lower now, "if it happens again, I won't assume it's just the alcohol this time."

Nessa's breath hitched, her mind racing. She wasn't sure what to say, but the tension between them was electric.

"Duly noted," she finally managed, her voice a little shakier than she intended.

The rest of the dinner carried on, but that moment hung in the air between them, thick with possibility. They continued talking, laughing, and exchanging their usual playful jabs, but every time their hands accidentally brushed or their eyes met across the table, it felt like a spark had been lit.

After they finished eating, Rob suggested grabbing ice cream from a nearby spot. Nessa agreed, and they took a short walk down the street, the cool evening air wrapping around them. The vibe was different now-quieter, more intimate as they strolled side by side, chatting softly.

"You know," Rob said as they walked, his hand occasionally brushing against hers, "I had fun tonight."

"Me too," Nessa replied, glancing up at him with a smile.

He stopped walking for a second, turning to face her fully. "So... if this wasn't a 'real' date, what would you say to doing it for real sometime?"

Nessa's heart raced as she looked up at him. The way he was looking at her, the softness in his voice, made it impossible to play it off as just casual.

"I'd say... yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'd like that."

Rob smiled, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Then, before she could second-guess it, Nessa felt him lean down slightly, his face inches from hers. The world seemed to slow down as his lips met hers, soft and warm. It wasn't like the kiss at the party-this one was slow, deliberate, and full of intent.

When they pulled back, Nessa felt lightheaded, her heart racing. Rob's hand lingered on hers for a moment longer before he smiled.

"I guess that settles it," he said softly, his thumb brushing the back of her hand.

"Guess so," Nessa replied, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face.

As they continued their walk, hand in hand, Nessa couldn't help but feel like something had changed tonight-like this wasn't just "hanging out" anymore. And as they strolled through the quiet streets, the future suddenly felt wide open.