Choice of Love

Chapter 1: Unspoken Tension

The doorbell rang, jolting me from my thoughts. I opened the door to find a friend I've known since high school, Jason, standing there. He had sea green eyes that sparkled with mischief and tousled brown hair that always seemed to fall perfectly into place. "Jason, what a surprise! Why are you here?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

With a playful grin, he raised his hand to reveal a bottle of whisky. "It's your birthday, Lesley! Thought I'd bring a little celebration your way," he said, his tone light and teasing.

"Wow, you really know how to spoil a girl! Come in, let's catch up," I replied, stepping aside to let him in.

We settled on the couch, the familiar warmth of friendship wrapping around us. We chatted about everything—our university experiences, work dramas, and even family antics that made us roll our eyes. But as the conversation dwindled, Jason's gaze flickered to the bottle. "Let's get drunk," he declared with a mischievous glint in his eye as he opened the whisky.

"Cheers!" we said in unison, clinking our glasses together. The smooth burn of the whisky slid down my throat, sparking a warmth in my chest.

As we turned our attention to the TV, the sitcom made us laugh. "Ha ha, that's hilarious!" I exclaimed, but when I glanced over, I found Jason staring at me intently, his expression shifting from playful to serious. Our eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world around us faded away. I could feel the air thickening between us, igniting something I hadn't expected.

Then, in a tender gesture, Jason brushed his fingers against my cheek, sending a thrill down my spine. My heart raced as he leaned closer, and I thought we were about to kiss. But just before our lips met, he paused, gently tucking a stray bang behind my ear. It felt intimate, yet he retreated back to the TV as if the moment had never happened.

Disappointment washed over me. Why did he stop? Gathering my courage, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek. Jason's eyes widened in surprise, and before I knew it, he was kissing me back—tentative at first, then deepening as if he couldn't help himself.

The couch felt like our little universe, and he gently pushed me back, his urgency betraying the chaos brewing within him. But as his hand slipped under my bra, clarity hit me like a cold splash of water. What am I doing? I thought, panic rising in my chest.

I pushed him away, catching my breath. "Jason, wait. I have a boyfriend," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.