Invisible String | Lovertation

December 3

Chloe and I have been on a few dates now—casual ones, nothing too serious. But tonight? Tonight is different. Tonight is the date. The one where I finally work up the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend.

And honestly? I'm fucking terrified.

I haven't asked a girl out in years. My last relationship started because my ex made the first move (which was hilarious in hindsight, considering she was also the one who cheated on me). We dated for a long time, and I haven't really been in anything serious since. So now, standing in front of the mirror, running a hand through my hair for the tenth time, I can't shake the feeling that I'm going to absolutely fuck this up.

My phone buzzes on my dresser, snapping me out of my spiral. I pick it up and see a new text from Chloe.

Chloe: hey u still good for tonight?
Chloe: not to be dramatic but if u cancel i will simply die

I chuckle, my nerves easing just a little.

Me: Relax, I'm not bailing. I'll pick you up soon.
Chloe: ok good bc i look really hot rn
Chloe: not that i don't always look hot but yk
Me: You're so humble
Chloe: ik <3

I shake my head, smiling to myself as I set my phone down.

Okay. I can do this. It's just Chloe. And she already likes me. Probably.

I glance at the clock. I've still got time before I need to leave, but the nervous energy in my chest is too much to sit with. I grab a sweater from the back of my chair and throw it on, the soft polyester grounding me just a little. Then I grab my keys, take one last deep breath, and head out the door.

The second Chloe walks out of her house, I realize I've made a huge mistake.

I should have prepared for this. I should have mentally fucking prepared for this. Because what the hell is she wearing?

Her top is low-cut—way lower than I was expecting—and it's tight. Really tight. I don't know what it's made of, but it clings to her body like it was specifically designed to ruin my life. And her jeans? Perfect. Hugging her thighs just right, ripped in all the best places. Her blonde hair is up just enough to show off her earrings, and she's got that subtle makeup look going on that makes her eyes pop.

I am not okay.

I grip the steering wheel for a second before reminding myself that I'm supposed to be acting normal. I get out of the car, trying really fucking hard to keep my eyes on her face.

"Hey," she says as she walks up, giving me that smile.

"Hey." I clear my throat, nodding toward the car like some kind of idiot. "Ready?"

She doesn't answer immediately. Instead, her head tilts slightly, and her smirk turns knowing.

"Rep."

"Hm?"

Her smirk widens. "You're staring at my boobs."

I blink. Shit.

"No, I'm not."

She just looks at me.

"Okay, maybe I am," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. "But, like. In my defense. They're right there."

She laughs. A full, warm, gorgeous laugh, shaking her head as she tugs open the car door. "Jesus Christ. Come on, perv."

I grumble something under my breath, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips as I get in the car.

The entire date is an exercise in self-control.

We go to this little café Chloe loves, and the whole time, I am struggling. She talks with her hands, she laughs with her whole body, and she keeps leaning forward just enough to make my brain fully short-circuit.

And my eyes? Yeah. They're not cooperating.

At one point, she calls me out again.

"You're staring at my boobs again," she says flatly, stirring her drink.

I snap my eyes up to her face. "No, I'm not."

She raises an eyebrow.

"...Okay, maybe I am." I sigh, dragging a hand down my face. "I swear I'm not a creep. You just look really fucking good tonight."

Chloe smirks. "I know."

I groan, slouching in my seat. "You're killing me."

"Good."

I glare at her, but she just grins and keeps sipping her drink like she knows she's winning.

Later, we're walking outside, and Chloe shivers slightly, rubbing her arms.

"Shit, it got cold," she mutters.

Without thinking, I pull off my sweater and hand it to her. "Here."

She blinks up at me, surprised. "You're giving me your sweater?"

I shrug. "It's just polyester."

Chloe bites her lip, hiding a smile as she tugs it on. It's too big on her, the sleeves hanging past her hands, and fuck, she looks even cuter now.

"You're so soft for me," she teases, nudging me.

I scoff. "Shut up."

She just grins, lacing her fingers through mine. My heart definitely does something weird, but I ignore it.

By the time we're back at the car, my nerves have fully taken over.

I need to ask her. I have to ask her. But my brain is not cooperating.

She stops next to the passenger door, tilting her head. "You okay? You've been weirdly quiet."

I take a breath. "Yeah, I just—uh—I wanted to ask you something."

Chloe nods, waiting.

My brain immediately malfunctions again, and before I can stop myself, my eyes drift.

And fuck.

She's still wearing my sweater, but it's loose, slipping just enough to show a bit more of her collarbone, and my dumbass stares.

Chloe crosses her arms, which only makes it worse. "Rep."

I snap my gaze back up to her face. "What?"

"You're staring at my boobs again."

I go stiff. "I am not."

Her smirk deepens. "Uh-huh."

I clear my throat, forcing my brain to work. "Anyway—uh—what I was trying to say before my brain short-circuited is..." I exhale sharply. "Do you... wanna be my girlfriend?"

Chloe blinks. "You mean, like, your actual girlfriend?"

I nod quickly, still avoiding her eyes.

There's a beat of silence, and just as I'm about to start panicking, she grins. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd really fucking like that."

Before I can even process what's happening, she grabs my face and kisses me.

And holy shit.

Her lips are warm and soft, and my whole body melts into it. I grab her waist, pulling her closer, and she sighs against my mouth, making my brain fully shut down.

When we finally pull away, Chloe's grinning. "That was fun. We should do that again."

I huff out a breathless laugh. "Yeah. We should."

She tugs me toward the car, smirking. "Now take me home, girlfriend."

I roll my eyes, but I can't stop smiling as I unlock the car.