Park

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The next day, Asher and Sydney wake up to the sound of Asher's alarm. It's a soft tune, but it's enough to gently pull them from their dreams. They realize it's Monday—a workday—and both feel the weight of reality settling back in. Sydney stretches, her fingers brushing against Asher's, and for a moment, they share a quiet, content smile.

Asher suggests they take it slow in the morning since they don't have to be in the office early. They share a light breakfast together, making coffee and toasting some bread. The atmosphere is calm but laced with a hint of uncertainty. Sydney is quiet, seemingly lost in thought, while Asher feels a mix of happiness from the previous night and nervousness about what the day might bring.

They decide to walk to work together. On their way, Sydney feels a bit conflicted. She's still processing her feelings for Asher and what it means for her relationship with Simon. Asher notices Sydney's silence but doesn't press; she understands that Sydney might need some space to figure things out.

When they arrive at the office, the team is buzzing with energy, preparing for another busy week of casting and film prep. Luca greets them cheerfully, commenting on how refreshed they look. "Seems like you two had a good weekend," he remarks with a playful smile. Sydney and Asher exchange a quick glance, both trying to hide their smiles.

Throughout the day, Asher finds it hard to focus. Her mind keeps drifting back to the moments she shared with Sydney. She catches herself glancing at Sydney often, who is busy coordinating the casting callbacks and organizing the next steps of the production. At one point, Sydney catches Asher's gaze and gives her a small, reassuring smile, which makes Asher's heart skip a beat.

Asher is called into a meeting with Luca and the rest of the creative team to discuss the next set of filming locations. During the meeting, she offers some insightful suggestions, surprising Luca with her attention to detail and creativity. He praises her for the input, which boosts Asher's confidence a bit, but her mind still lingers on Sydney.

Meanwhile, Sydney spends the day in a series of meetings with potential actors, but her thoughts are elsewhere. She keeps thinking about Asher, the softness of her voice when she talked about her love for girls, and the way she played her guitar. She knows she has to address her feelings soon, both with Asher and Simon, but she's not sure how or when to do it.

Later in the day, they're both asked to review a few scenes that were recently shot. They sit together in a small editing room, close but not touching, both hyper-aware of the proximity. The room is dimly lit, and as the scenes play out, Sydney leans over to whisper something to Asher about the lighting in one of the shots. The closeness and her soft voice send shivers down Asher's spine. Asher responds, and their shoulders brush against each other, sending a spark through both of them.

During a break, Sydney pulls Asher aside into an empty conference room. She takes a deep breath and says, "We need to talk. About us. About everything." Asher nods, her heart racing.

Before Sydney can say more, Luca bursts into the room, apologizing for interrupting. He needs their input on something urgently. The moment is lost, and they both reluctantly return to work, the conversation hanging unfinished in the air.

The rest of the day feels like a blur, with both women deeply engrossed in their tasks but unable to shake the underlying tension between them. As the workday comes to a close, Sydney approaches Asher again, this time with a look of determination.

"After work, let's find somewhere quiet to talk," she says softly.

Asher agrees, her heart both hopeful and anxious about what Sydney might have to say. They head back to their desks, both knowing that tonight could change everything.

As the clock ticks closer to the end of the workday, Asher and Sydney are both on edge, anticipating their conversation. The office gradually empties out as their coworkers leave for the day, exchanging cheerful goodbyes and making plans for the evening. Luca gives them both a knowing smile as he heads out, sensing that something is in the air between the two women but not pressing them about it.

Finally, it's just the two of them left. The office is quiet now, the buzz of the day having died down to a soft hum. Sydney looks over at Asher, her expression a mix of resolve and nervousness. "Ready?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Asher nods, feeling her pulse quicken. They grab their things and leave the building, stepping out into the cool evening air. The sky is painted with shades of orange and pink, the sun beginning its descent below the horizon.

Sydney leads them to a small park nearby. It's a peaceful spot with a few benches and a small fountain, a perfect place for a private conversation. They find a secluded bench under a large tree, and Sydney sits down first, patting the space next to her for Asher to join.

 They find a secluded bench under a large tree, and Sydney sits down first, patting the space next to her for Asher to join

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Asher sits beside her, the tension between them palpable. She's not sure where to start or what Sydney is thinking. She fiddles with the hem of her jacket, her nerves getting the better of her.

Sydney takes a deep breath, turning to face Asher fully. "I've been thinking a lot today," she begins, her voice steady but soft. "About us, about last night... and about what all of this means."

Asher's heart races, her eyes fixed on Sydney's. She can see the conflict in Sydney's eyes, a mix of uncertainty and something else—something warmer.

Sydney continues, "I can't deny that I feel something for you, Ash. Something real. I've been trying to sort it out in my head all day. I've never felt this way before, not with Simon, not with anyone."

"I care about Simon, but I can't ignore this... connection we have. Being with you feels different. It feels... right, in a way I can't explain."

Asher's heart swells at Sydney's words, but she also feels a pang of guilt. "I really don't want to be the reason you and Simon break up, Syd. I want you to be sure about what you feel, not just caught up in the moment."

Sydney reaches out, taking Asher's hand in hers. Her touch is warm and reassuring. "I know, and I appreciate that. But this isn't just a moment. It's been building for a while now, even if I didn't realize it at first."

They sit in silence for a moment, both processing their feelings. The park is quiet around them, the only sound the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

After a while, Sydney speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to figure things out with Simon. I owe him that much. But I also don't want to lose what we have, Ash. I want to see where this goes."

Asher nods, understanding. "Take all the time you need, Syd. I'll be here, whatever you decide."

Sydney squeezes Asher's hand, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Thank you," she says sincerely. "For understanding, and for being patient with me."

They sit there for a while longer, hand in hand, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The air grows cooler, and Asher shivers slightly. Sydney notices and wraps an arm around her, pulling her closer. Asher leans into her, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in Sydney's embrace.

After a while, Sydney speaks again, her voice light. "How about we grab some dinner? My treat."

Asher chuckles, feeling a bit of the tension lift. "Sure, that sounds good."

They stand up, and Sydney keeps her arm around Asher's shoulder as they walk out of the park, heading toward a nearby restaurant. The weight of their conversation still lingers, but there's also a sense of hope in the air. They both know the road ahead might be complicated, but they're willing to take it one step at a time, together.

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