Page 37 of Dreams and Desires

“You know there’s something here,” he says. His tone isn’t desperate. It’s steady. Controlled. But there’s an edge to it. Something real. Something fragile.

“I know,” I admit. “But I can’t afford to want it.”

He rises from the bench, taking a slow step forward, then stopping as if unsure of how far I’ll let him go. “Why not?”

“Because I need this job,” I say. “Because I need stability. Because I’ve spent too long chasing the wrong things and letting people like you burn through me.”

His jaw flexes, but he doesn’t speak. Not right away. His eyes search mine, like he’s trying to memorize something. Or maybe trying to convince himself that this isn’t the end of whatever just sparked between us.

“We can keep it professional,” he says, quieter now. “If that’s what you need.”

“And if I can’t?” My voice is barely a whisper.

“Then I’ll wait.”

There’s a long pause. A beat suspended in the middle of everything we don’t say. And then I nod, mostly to myself, and open the door.

The hallway is bright and cold compared to the heat still clinging to my skin. I head straight for the bathroom and lock myself inside. The light flickers slightly overhead. I grip the edge of the sink, breathing hard, heart still racing. My reflection looks different—cheeks flushed, lips pink, eyes wide with too many emotions crashing into each other.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

I splash my face one more time. Then I dry off fast, check the mirror, and do what I can. I pull the door open and walk out. Chin up. Steps steady. Just like nothing happened. But under it? I’m barely holding.

As I head towards the hotel exit, I spot Zade sitting in his sleek black car, parked directly in front of the entrance. He rolls down the window, his eyes locking on mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Juniper, get in. I'll drive you home," he orders, firm enough I know not to argue.

I shake my head, feeling the tension build up inside me again. “I can't, Zade. This... this is getting out of control. Please, just let me go.”

He smirks, that maddeningly confident expression making my heart race and my frustration grow. “Out of control? You mean like a blind man with a chainsaw out of control? Relax, Juniper. It's just a ride. What could possibly go wrong?”

Iswallow hard, glancing around, searching for some escape. “Zade, seriously, I need some space. This is all too much for me right now.”

My eyes can’t help but trace the strong line of his jaw, the way his hair falls slightly into his eyes, and the memory of his mouth on mine makes my breath hitch. The heat of his touch still lingers on my skin, pulling me towards him like a magnet.

But every time I think about the last time I trusted someone, it ended in disaster—my heart shattered, trust broken. Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them away quickly, not wanting Zade to see just how torn I am.

His persistence is maddening. I open my mouth to protest again, to tell him how wrong this is, but a car pulls up beside us, and I turn to see Dominique behind the wheel.

“Juniper, do you need a ride?” Dominique asks, her eyes flicking between me and Zade.

I glance back at Zade, who’s now leaning back in his seat, his expression unreadable, though his eyes never leave mine. "Well, it looks like your knight in shining armor has arrived,” he says dryly before driving away, his engine roaring as he disappears into the night.

“Thank you, Dominique,” I say, relief washing over me as I quickly move towards her car.

As I get into Dominique’s car, I can still feel the intensity of Zade’s gaze on me, lingering like a shadow. “Are you alright?” Dominique asks gently, her voice soft with concern.

I nod, trying to force a smile. “Yeah, just a long day. Thanks for the ride.”

As we drive away, the silence in the car feels almost suffocating. I force myself to take deep breaths, trying to clear my head, but Dominique’s eyes keep flicking over to me, her concern evident.

“Juniper, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now,” Dominique begins, breaking the silence. “I’m sorry about what happened back in high school. I know we never really talked about it, but I want you to know that I regret not standing up for you.”

I swallow hard, the old wounds reopening just a little, enough to sting. “Let’s not talk about it,” I reply softly, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window.

Dominique nods, respecting my wish. After a moment, she glances at me again, her curiosity getting the better of her. “So, what’s going on with you and Zade?”

I whip my head around. My tone is sharper than I intended. “Nothing!”

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