Chapter 32 — No More Accidents
The palace felt unusually quiet that evening.
Mia had spent most of the day handling royal duties, while Nathan had been occupied with his business meetings.
By the time they were both home, the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon.
Mia walked into the sitting room and found Nathan sitting on the sofa, looking through a few documents.
"You're still working?"
Nathan looked up.
"Apparently."
Mia sighed and dropped into the chair opposite him.
"You work too much."
"And you complain too much."
She gave him a look.
Nathan smiled.
"I missed that."
Mia's expression softened.
"You missed me complaining?"
"I missed you being here."
The words caught her completely off guard.
Nathan seemed surprised by his own honesty.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Mia looked away first.
"You're getting strangely honest lately."
"Maybe I'm tired of pretending."
She looked back at him.
"Pretending what?"
Nathan put the documents aside.
"That I haven't noticed what's happening between us."
Mia's heart began beating faster.
"What's happening?"
Nathan stood and walked toward her.
"I think you know."
Mia didn't move.
He stopped in front of her.
Neither of them said anything.
Then Nathan leaned down.
This time, Mia didn't wait for an accident.
She closed the distance herself.
Their lips met.
The kiss was deliberate.
Slow at first, almost hesitant, as though both of them were still making sure this was what they wanted.
Then the hesitation disappeared.
Mia's hand rested lightly against Nathan's shoulder as they kissed again, longer this time.
When they finally separated, they remained close.
Mia's cheeks were warm.
Nathan looked at her with a quiet smile.
"Well…"
Mia breathed out a nervous laugh.
"Well what?"
"I think we've officially moved past the accidental-kiss stage."
Mia laughed.
"Definitely."
She stepped back, trying to compose herself.
"So what are we now?"
Nathan thought for a moment.
"Still us."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"I know."
He smiled.
"But maybe we're becoming something more."
Mia looked at him.
She didn't disagree.
Instead, she smiled.
"That's terrifying."
Nathan chuckled.
"A little."
They sat together on the sofa.
Mia leaned back.
"So, just to be clear…"
Nathan turned toward her.
"What?"
"No more pretending every kiss is an accident."
Nathan smiled.
"Agreed."
"And no rushing anything."
"Agreed."
"And if either of us gets uncomfortable, we say so."
Nathan nodded.
"Absolutely."
Mia smiled.
"Good."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Then Nathan reached for the remote.
"Movie?"
Mia nodded.
"Movie."
He turned on the television.
A few minutes later, Mia glanced sideways at him.
Nathan caught her looking.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"I was just checking something."
"What?"
Mia smiled mischievously.
"Whether you're still going to look nervous after kissing me."
Nathan laughed.
"You're enjoying this."
"Maybe."
He shook his head.
Mia laughed.
For the first time, the silence between them didn't feel awkward.
They weren't trying to understand everything tonight.
They weren't forcing themselves to define what they were becoming.
They simply sat together, laughing at the movie and occasionally exchanging knowing glances.
And somewhere between the laughter and the quiet moments, Mia realized something that frightened her more than any accidental kiss ever had.
She was beginning to look forward to the moments when Nathan came closer.
And Nathan, sitting beside her, seemed to be thinking exactly the same thing.