Asher having just moved to Paris for a job in the film industry has been drawn to Sydney...her co-worker and head, the captivating girl who seems to light up every room she enters. The only problem? Sydney is in a relationship with Simon, her charmi...
Sydney wakes up first, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She glances over at Asher, still peacefully asleep, her curls tousled across her face.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Not wanting to disturb her, Sydney quietly reaches for her phone and texts Luca:
Sydney: Hey, something really bad happened last night. Asher's still sleeping, and I think she could use a break. We might just work from her place this morning, if that's okay.
A few moments later, Luca replies:
Luca: Take the day off, both of you. You deserve it. I love you both.
Sydney smiles at the screen, then gently tries to slide out of bed without waking Asher. She's planning to sneak out and grab some breakfast, but just as she reaches the door, she hears a rustling behind her.
Asher stirs, her voice still heavy, deep, and raspy from her sleep. "Syd? Are you leaving?" Panic flashes in her eyes, thinking she might have done something wrong. "I'm so sorry if I made things awkward last night. I didn't mean to—"
Sydney turns back, her expression soft and reassuring. "No, no, Ash. You didn't make anything awkward. I was just going to grab us some breakfast. I didn't want to wake you because you looked like you needed more sleep."
Relief floods Asher's face, though she still feels a little self-conscious. "Oh... okay. Well, if you want, I can make something. I've got some things in the fridge," she says, moving to open it and reveal a small assortment of groceries.
Sydney steps closer and gently closes the fridge door. "Don't worry about it. I want to treat you. You relax, okay? I'll be right back."
Asher blushes at Sydney's kindness, a soft pink tint rising to her cheeks. She nods and reluctantly heads back to her bed, pulling the covers up around her. Sydney gives her a reassuring smile before quietly slipping out of the apartment.
Fifteen minutes later, Sydney returns with a bag full of fresh pastries and two cups of steaming coffee. Asher is now sitting up in bed, looking more awake but still a little sleepy-eyed and her usual bed head hair. Sydney grins as she enters, holding up the bag. "Breakfast is served."
They move to the small space outside Asher's tiny balcony—just big enough for them to sit side by side on the floor. Sydney lays out the pastries, and they both grab a cup of coffee, savoring the warmth in their hands.
They start with small talk—sharing stories about their favorite breakfast spots, laughing about the quirks of living in Paris, and exchanging thoughts about their next project at Urban Films. Sydney notices how Asher's eyes light up when she talks about film, her passion evident in every word.
As they eat, Sydney finds herself watching Asher closely, noticing the little things she hadn't before—the way Asher's smile is downturned, how she tucks a stray curl behind her ear or pushes her glasses up when she's nervous though Sydney caught her just now pushing up nothing as if she had her glasses on, embarrassed from what happened and tucked a curl behind her ear to try and make up for the wrong and awkward gesture, and of course the genuine kindness in her brown eyes. Sydney's heart softens, her feelings for Asher growing deeper, especially after their tender moment last night.
She finds herself inching closer to Asher, drawn to her warmth and authenticity. "You know," Sydney begins softly, "I've never met anyone quite like you, Ash. You're... refreshing, light, and young."
Asher looks up, slightly surprised, a piece of croissant still in her hand. "Oh... thank you, that means a lot coming from you....things mean a lot when they come from you"
Sydney's gaze lingers on Asher, her voice almost a whisper. "Last night, I saw a side of you that's so genuine and open. It's really nice... being around you."
Asher blushes again, her heart racing at Sydney's words. "I... I feel the same way."
They share a comfortable silence, enjoying their breakfast in the cool morning air, both feeling the subtle shift in their connection—a warmth that feels like more than just friendship beginning to blossom between them.
