In Between

Than Everything

The rest of the day passed in a blur. By the time the evening rolled around, Y/N found herself in her hotel room, surrounded by Leah, Dior, and Aryan, the three of them buzzing with excitement over her first date with Walker.

"Okay, this is major," Leah said, holding up two different dresses, one in a deep burgundy and the other a soft lavender. "We need to pick *the* dress. Like, no pressure, but this has to be the best outfit of your life."

Dior, perched on the edge of the bed, nodded enthusiastically. "Agreed. You have to look *perfect* for tonight."

Y/N laughed nervously, glancing between the dresses. "I didn't realize picking a dress would be this serious."

Aryan, leaning against the doorframe with a playful smirk, chimed in. "They're right. Walker's going to lose his mind when he sees you."

Y/N's heart fluttered at the thought. "Okay, okay! Help me out then, because I have no idea what to wear."

Leah grinned, tossing the lavender dress onto the bed and holding up the burgundy one. "This. Trust me. It's sexy without being too much. Plus, it's totally your color."

Y/N eyed the dress. It was simple but elegant, with thin straps and a fitted silhouette that fell just below her knees. "You really think so?"

"Definitely," Dior said. "Walker's going to be speechless."

With their encouragement, Y/N slipped into the dress, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside her. Leah helped her with her makeup—soft and natural, just the way she liked it—while Dior fixed her hair, curling it in loose waves that fell over her shoulders.

By the time they were done, Y/N barely recognized herself in the mirror. She looked... different. Confident. Ready.

"Well?" she asked, turning to face them. "What do you think?"

Leah let out a low whistle. "Girl, you look amazing."

Dior nodded in agreement, grinning from ear to ear. "Walker's going to fall even harder for you after this."

Aryan, always the joker, flashed a thumbs-up. "10 out of 10. Definitely date-worthy."

Y/N laughed, but the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't settle. This was happening. She was going on a date with Walker.

Just as she finished slipping into her shoes, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"That's him!" Leah squealed, practically bouncing on her feet.

Y/N took a deep breath, smoothing down the front of her dress. "Okay, here goes nothing."

She walked to the door, her heart racing as she reached for the handle. When she opened it, there he was—Walker, standing in the hallway, dressed in a dark button-up shirt and black jeans, his curls perfectly tousled. In his hand, he held a small bouquet of flowers, a soft blush of pink roses mixed with white lilies.

His breath caught when he saw her, his eyes widening in awe. "Wow... Y/N, you look... incredible."

Y/N felt her cheeks flush, her heart soaring at the look on his face. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Walker smiled, handing her the flowers. "These are for you."

She took them, her fingers brushing against his as their eyes met. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

"So are you," he said softly, his gaze never leaving hers.

For a moment, everything else faded away—the nerves, the uncertainty, the noise of the city beyond the hallway. It was just them, standing in the doorway, finally on the same page.

"You ready?" Walker asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Y/N smiled, slipping her hand into his. "More than ready."