Monday morning arrived like a dull gray wave, the city streets half-awake and buzzing with the usual traffic of commuters. Mia moved through it like an automaton, her mind a storm of thoughts she couldn't sort. She'd replayed Friday's encounter with Liam over and over, each iteration leaving her more exhausted, more confused.
Lily had been right—she couldn't make any rash decisions. She needed clarity, a level-headed approach. Yet, even now, with her coffee cooling in her hands, she felt the tug of the past against the present. Liam had returned, yes, with his earnest eyes and careful words, but Ace… Ace lingered in every thought she tried to shove away, in every flutter in her chest she refused to acknowledge fully.
By mid-morning, she found herself in the small conference room at her publishing startup, ostensibly focused on client contracts. In reality, she was sketching outlines for a new manuscript while Liam's words echoed through her mind: I never stopped caring.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced down, heart fluttering, only to see a text from Lily:
"Breathe. You're stronger than this, Mia. Lunch?"
She smiled faintly and typed back: "Yes. I need it."
By noon, she was at the café again, Lily already seated and scanning her surroundings like she could sense Mia's inner turmoil. James joined shortly after, settling into their familiar rhythm of teasing and support.
"You've been quiet all morning," Lily said, stirring her latte. "Care to explain or should we guess?"
Mia sighed, swirling the coffee in her cup. "I've been… thinking. About Liam. About Ace. About… everything."
James raised an eyebrow. "Everything, huh? Sounds dramatic."
"It is dramatic," Mia admitted. "Liam's back. He apologized, tried to explain, and I… I don't know how to feel."
Lily nodded knowingly. "Old feelings don't just vanish. They linger, even if you've healed. But remember, healing also means recognizing who's truly present for you now."
Before Mia could respond, the door opened, and Ace stepped in. He spotted them, hesitated for a brief moment, then made his way to their table. His presence shifted the air in subtle ways—alert, protective, teasing, patient.
"Lunch looks lively," Ace said, sliding into the seat across from Mia, eyes flicking between her and her friends.
"You could say that," Mia replied, her voice steadier than she felt.
Ace leaned back, smirk teasing his lips. "So, thinking about him again?"
Mia stiffened slightly. "Maybe," she admitted.
"Maybe?" Ace echoed, voice low. "You mean, yes. Definitely yes."
James snorted. "That obvious, huh?"
Lily rolled her eyes but didn't intervene, letting Mia navigate her own feelings while Ace continued to probe gently, teasing yet observant.
Mia took a deep breath. "I'm trying to process everything. Liam… he hurt me. But he's apologetic. I want to forgive him, maybe even rebuild a friendship. But I… I don't want to get hurt again."
Ace leaned slightly forward, eyes serious now, tone quieter but carrying weight. "And you won't. Not while I'm around. Not if I have anything to do with it."
Her cheeks warmed. She wanted to argue, to tell him she could handle her own boundaries, but the truth was, Ace's presence offered an unspoken reassurance. He wasn't controlling, not exactly, but he was attentive in ways that felt almost impossible to ignore.
James cleared his throat, leaning back. "All right, let's not turn this into a therapy session. But seriously, Mia… trust your instincts. And Ace, don't be a pain—just… be there."
Ace's smirk returned, softer this time. "Always."
The conversation shifted, but Mia's thoughts refused to let go of the undercurrent between Ace and Liam. The slow burn was relentless, and the awareness of it made her pulse quicken.
Later that evening, she returned to her apartment, exhausted mentally but restless physically. She paced the length of her living room, phone in hand, debating whether to respond to Liam's latest text: Hope I didn't overwhelm you today. I just want a chance to talk more.
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she typed a reply, deleted it, and started over multiple times. Finally, she sent: I need more time. I hope you understand.
The silence afterward was almost comforting. It gave her space to breathe, to think, and to acknowledge something she hadn't dared admit fully: she was beginning to notice Ace in ways that went beyond friendship.
He wasn't perfect—far from it—but his patience, his teasing, his quiet protectiveness, the way he could infuriate her and then make her feel safe all at once… it was a pull she couldn't ignore.
Her phone buzzed again, this time a message from Lily: Dinner tomorrow? We can plan a weekend escape from emotional chaos.
Mia smiled. Absolutely.
The slow burn continued, each interaction layered with meaning. Liam's persistence forced her to confront past feelings, while Ace's steady presence reminded her of what she had in the present. Lily and James provided grounding and perspective, ensuring she navigated both with care.
As she set her phone down, Mia realized that the emotional storm wasn't just a challenge—it was a chance. A chance to finally understand what she wanted, who she wanted, and how she wanted to feel.
And she knew that, step by careful step, she would navigate it—slowly, deliberately, and on her own terms.
The night settled around her apartment, quiet except for the faint hum of city life. Mia allowed herself a moment of clarity: she wasn't rushing. She didn't need to. The slow burn would continue, and she would let it, because sometimes the fire that took the longest to ignite burned the hottest.