Seven Dates [Completed]

One Month Later

The air hadn't warmed up; winter's grip had only tightened. But Charlie hardly noticed. Her heart felt so full it created its own warmth, shielding her from the wind's sharp bite.

Peyton's jean jacket, several sizes too big, was wrapped snugly around her, the frayed edges brushing her thighs as she hurried down the street, away from the campus classrooms. The jacket smelled of him—a mix of cedarwood, coffee, and something unmistakably Peyton—and she found herself burrowing deeper into its folds.

When she reached her dorm building, a smile crept onto her face. Peyton's truck was parked under a flickering street lamp , its silhouette a welcome sight against the snowy backdrop. Her pace quickened, the cold forgotten.

Inside her room, she flipped the light switch, and the fluorescent bulbs buzzed to life.

"Happy birthday!"

The sound of his voice made her jump, but her surprise melted into delight as she took in the sight of him. Peyton stood grinning in the middle of her room, a small tray of cupcakes in his hands. A half-hanging birthday banner swayed above him, and to top it all off, a crooked party hat sat jauntily on his head.

"Peyton," she said, her voice catching in her throat. "You didn't have to do all this."

He shrugged, his grin widening. "Couldn't let the day go by without celebrating you."

She crossed the room, taking the cupcakes from his hands and setting them on her desk before wrapping her arms around his neck. Standing on her tiptoes to reach him, she pressed her body against his, feeling the warmth radiating off him. His hands slid instinctively to her waist, holding her close as he rested his chin on her head.

Charlie tilted her face up to his, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "You're ridiculous," she teased, tugging at the strap of his party hat.

"And you're worth it," he replied, his voice low and steady. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a neatly wrapped box.

"What's this?" she asked, eyeing it curiously.

"Open it," he said, his excitement barely contained.

Charlie peeled back the wrapping paper to reveal a sleek red box. When she opened it, her breath caught—a delicate silver bracelet lay nestled inside, its intricate design shimmering under the light.

"Peyton..." Her voice faltered. "This is beautiful. But—it must have cost so much."

"Stop," he interrupted, taking the bracelet from the box. "Let me put it on you."

She held out her arm, and he fastened the clasp with practiced care, his fingers grazing her skin in a way that sent a shiver through her. The bracelet fit perfectly, resting snugly against her wrist like it had always belonged there.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, staring at the way the silver gleamed against her skin.

"So are you," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead before gently brushing away the tears that had begun to fall.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"You're welcome." His lips quirked into a mischievous grin. "Oh, and I hung a few of my shirts in your closet."

She laughed, the sound breaking through the weight of the moment. "Does that mean you're taking your jacket back?" she asked, tugging playfully on one of the frayed sleeves.

"Never. It looks better on you anyway."

Her smile widened as she stuffed her hands into the oversized pockets, savoring the comforting weight of the fabric. "Can we eat cupcakes now?"

"Absolutely."

They sat together on the floor, sharing the cupcakes in companionable silence. The warmth of the room, the faint glow of the street lights outside, and the feeling of being together made the moment feel timeless.

"You know," Peyton began, brushing stray crumbs off the wrapper in his hand, "I didn't know what to do when I thought you didn't want me."

Charlie's smile faltered, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice heavy with guilt.

"No, don't apologize." His voice was gentle but firm. "I didn't mean it like that. I just... I don't know where I'd be right now if you hadn't wanted me back. I've never felt this way about anyone before."

She bit her lip, his words unlocking the flood of emotions she'd tried to keep at bay. "I just... I don't want to let you down. You do so much for me, and I—"

Peyton cut her off, scooting closer until their knees touched. He tipped her chin up with his finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. His other hand brushed her hair back from her face, his touch as light as a whisper.

"Charlie, you're everything I could ever want. You're more than enough. I don't want you to ever doubt that."

Before she could respond, he pulled her into his lap, her legs instinctively draping over his. Her body fit against his as though it had always belonged there, and she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her. His hands slid to her lower back, warm and sure, anchoring her in place as if letting go wasn't an option.

She tilted her head back to look at him, her fingers threading through his tousled golden hair. His emerald eyes held hers, and for a moment, the world outside her room ceased to exist. Time itself seemed to slow.

"Peyton..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Charlie," he murmured back, his tone a mixture of affection and longing.

He leaned in, his movements deliberate and unhurried, his lips brushing against hers with a featherlight touch. The softness of the kiss sent a thrill coursing through her, her breath hitching in her throat. Slowly, he deepened it, his hand moving to cradle the side of her face, his thumb tracing gentle patterns along her jawline.

Her fingers tightened in his hair as she leaned into him, her lips parting under the warmth of his. Peyton responded in kind, his kisses growing more fervent, more insistent, as if he was trying to pour every unsaid word into that moment. His other hand slid lower, resting lightly on the curve of her hip, his fingertips brushing the hem of her shirt, sending a shiver racing down her spine.

Charlie felt herself melt into him, her heart pounding as his lips moved against hers. Each kiss was a question and an answer all at once, a silent declaration of everything he couldn't yet put into words. His breath mingled with hers, intoxicating and warm, and she felt like she was drowning in the closeness of him—in his scent, his touch, the way he made her feel like she was the only thing that mattered.

When they finally broke apart, her lips tingled from the intensity, and she rested her forehead against his. Her breath came in short gasps, her cheeks flushed as she looked into his eyes. They were darker now, filled with an intensity that made her stomach flutter.

"You're... dangerous," she said softly, a teasing lilt to her voice, though her heart was still racing.

"Only for you," he replied, his voice husky, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.

He leaned forward again, his lips ghosting along her jawline, trailing soft kisses down to the sensitive spot just below her ear. Her breath caught, and she tightened her grip on his shoulders as his voice dropped to a whisper, his words sending heat spiraling through her.

"You have no idea what you do to me, Charlie."