frostbite

Chapter 28: Familiar Territory

After a few minutes of standing there in the haze of their kiss, Evelyn pulled back, her hands slipping from Eden's waist, though her gaze lingered, as if she was torn between stepping forward or stepping away. Eden's pulse was still racing, and she could feel the air between them crackling with unresolved tension. Her lips still tingled from the kiss, and the need for more lingered in the air, heavy and undeniable.

But, of course, Evelyn being Evelyn, she was the first to break the spell.

"You should sit," Evelyn said, her voice low but steady as she stepped away, running a hand through her damp hair. "I'll make us some tea."

Eden blinked, the shift in tone almost making her laugh. Tea. Of course. After a kiss like that, Evelyn would revert back to something safe and familiar, like making tea would erase the tension still thick between them. But Eden didn't argue. Not yet, anyway. She could see the flicker of unease in Evelyn's eyes—the brief vulnerability that Evelyn would no doubt push back down with every ounce of her control.

"Tea?" Eden teased, raising an eyebrow as she followed Evelyn into the kitchen. "That's your big follow-up after that kiss?"

Evelyn shot her a look over her shoulder, half-amused, half-annoyed, but the corner of her lips twitched like she was fighting back a smile. "What would you prefer, Eden? Champagne? A parade?"

Eden grinned, leaning against the kitchen counter. "I wouldn't say no to a parade."

Evelyn shook her head, pulling two mugs from the cabinet. "You're impossible."

Eden laughed softly, the warmth of the moment settling into her chest. The tension hadn't entirely dissipated, but the teasing helped ease some of the weight between them. This—this banter, this dance—was their familiar territory. And for the first time in what felt like weeks, Eden didn't mind the push and pull. It felt like they were both in on it now, both aware of the stakes and willing to play.

"Impossible is a strong word," Eden said, her voice light as she watched Evelyn move around the kitchen with practiced precision. "I'd say... persistent. Or maybe charming."

"Charming, huh?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow as she filled the kettle with water and set it to boil. "Is that what you call running off into the rain instead of getting into my car?"

Eden shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It worked, didn't it? You're making me tea now."

Evelyn let out a soft, exasperated sigh, but there was a glint of humor in her eyes. "You're lucky I like you."

Eden's grin widened. "Oh, I know."

The kettle began to whistle, and Evelyn poured the hot water into the mugs, still shaking her head at Eden's antics. She handed one mug to Eden, their fingers brushing briefly, sending a spark of heat through Eden's skin. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling too much, knowing full well Evelyn was aware of the effect her touch had.

They settled in the living room, the soft glow of the lamps casting shadows along the walls, the rain still drumming softly against the windows. Eden tucked her legs underneath her on the couch, watching as Evelyn sat down at the opposite end, still keeping a small distance between them, as if too much closeness would be dangerous.

"So," Eden said after a few sips of her tea, her voice more casual now. "Was this your plan all along? Kiss me and then pretend everything's back to normal?"

Evelyn nearly choked on her tea, shooting Eden a look that was equal parts amused and annoyed. "You think I planned that?"

Eden laughed, her smile bright. "Oh, I know you don't plan anything when it comes to me. That's kind of the problem, isn't it?"

Evelyn's gaze darkened slightly, but she didn't retreat like Eden thought she might. Instead, she set her mug down on the coffee table, her fingers lingering on the handle for a moment before she spoke. "You're right," Evelyn admitted, her voice softer now. "I don't plan anything with you because... I don't know how."

Eden blinked, caught off guard by the sudden honesty in Evelyn's words. She wasn't used to this—this version of Evelyn that let down her walls, even if just for a moment. "What do you mean?"

Evelyn looked at her, her eyes filled with that familiar mix of intensity and vulnerability. "I don't know how to... let go. Of control. Of this need to keep everything in line. And with you..." She trailed off, her jaw tightening. "With you, I don't know how to stop feeling."

Eden's heart pounded in her chest, the weight of Evelyn's words hitting her harder than she'd expected. "You don't have to stop."

Evelyn let out a shaky breath, her eyes flicking up to meet Eden's. "I don't want to push you away. But I don't know how to be... this."

Eden set her mug down, scooting closer to Evelyn on the couch. "Then stop trying to be anything. Just be here with me. That's all I'm asking."

For a long moment, Evelyn didn't move, didn't speak. She just stared at Eden, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and something deeper—something raw and unfiltered that Eden wasn't sure either of them was ready to name. But then, slowly, Evelyn reached out, her fingers brushing against Eden's hand, a tentative but deliberate touch.

"I'm here," Evelyn said quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Eden smiled softly, squeezing Evelyn's hand. "Good."

They sat like that for a while, the soft hum of the rain filling the space between them, their fingers intertwined. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't easy, but for the first time, it felt like they were both standing on the same ground.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Eden's stomach let out a loud, unmistakable growl, cutting through the quiet like a foghorn.

Eden blinked, startled, and then burst out laughing, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I think my stomach has other priorities."

Evelyn chuckled, the sound warm and soft. "Maybe I should've made you food instead of tea."

Eden grinned, her embarrassment fading. "Well, if you're offering, I'm not about to say no."

Evelyn stood up, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Come on, then. Let's see what I've got in the kitchen."

Eden followed her, the tension between them finally easing into something lighter, something easier. As they rummaged through the fridge together, their shoulders brushing, the air felt different—less like a battlefield and more like a truce.

And for the first time in a long time, Eden felt like maybe they were both exactly where they were supposed to be.