Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

151. Finally... I Crossed The Line

As Sarah made her way to the kitchen, I followed her, drawn in by the familiar warmth of her presence. Leaning against the countertop beside her, I turned to face her directly. “I’ve been meaning to ask,” I began with a teasing smirk, “how on earth did you manage to seduce me?”

She paused mid-motion, glancing at me with a playful yet tense expression. “I wonder about that myself,” she replied, her tone both curious and challenging.

I took a step closer, intrigued. “I mean, how does a guy like me fall for someone like you?”

Her smile deepened as she stepped closer too. “Trust me, I’ve asked myself the same question more times than I can count.”

Feeling emboldened, I leaned in a bit more. “While you’re at it,” I said, trying to maintain a lighthearted tone, “could you whip up a coffee for me?”

She crossed her arms and tilted her head, smirking. “Make it yourself,” she shot back, clearly enjoying our playful banter.

As she turned to walk away, I couldn’t help but pull her back gently. “Please?” I added, trying to sound sincere.

“Why are you ordering me around?” she challenged, an eyebrow raised in playful defiance.

“Because,” I replied, my voice earnest, “you’re my wife.”

With a mock-serious expression, she playfully shoved me away. “Then don’t act like a husband,” she retorted, a bright smile lighting up her face.

I sighed deeply, half-exasperated but fully charmed by her spirit. She handed me a steaming cup of coffee, and I asked, “Were you brewing this for me?”

She shrugged casually, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I was craving it. And honestly, it’s become a habit to make two coffees.”

We both leaned against the countertop, our shoulders brushing lightly, the comforting aroma of coffee surrounding us. I took a sip, letting the warmth seep into my veins, and casually asked, “So, do you want to go there?”

She shook her head with a firmness that surprised me. “Nope. It’ll ruin my mood,” she replied, her tone light but her expression serious.

“Do you want me to go then?” I probed, trying to gauge her feelings.

She shrugged, her gaze fixed on her cup. “That’s up to you,” she said, taking another sip, her lips curling slightly around the rim.

With a teasing smirk, I placed my cup near the shelf and began to move away, only to feel her hand wrap around my wrist, pulling me back gently.

“Hey, you told me to go, so why are you stopping me now?” I challenged, amusement dancing in my voice.

She gave me a playful frown. “I said you could make your own choice. I never actually told you to go,” she clarified, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“So, you want me to stay, then?” I asked, taking a step closer, intrigued by the sudden shift in our dynamic.

She nodded, a shy smile breaking through her earlier seriousness. “Even if I’m a little boring, just bear with me. I really don’t want you to go.”

Her candidness warmed my heart, and the lightness of the moment wrapped around us like a soft blanket. I stepped even closer, savoring the comfort of being in her presence, feeling as if everything else faded away. “Alright, then,” I said softly, leaning my shoulder against hers.

I gazed at her as she savored her coffee, the warm light catching the delicate features of her face. After a moment, I asked, “Sarah, I was just wondering—what do you think would have happened if you had married that guy?”

Without missing a beat, she replied, “I would have regretted it. It would have been just another mistake in my life.”

Her answer struck me, and I stared at her. She noticed my silence and turned her head to meet my gaze. “What? Do you have something to say?” she asked, her tone playful yet curious.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. “Hmm… I was just thinking,” I began, “could you stay with me like this until we grow old and gray?”

A bright smile broke across her face as she blurted out, “I’d love to.” But just as quickly, she shifted her gaze away, avoiding my eyes, as if suddenly shy about her own words.

“I can’t wait anymore,” I muttered, the words slipping out before I could second-guess myself.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, and before she could respond, I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. With a gentle but determined motion, I cupped her cheeks in my hands and pressed my lips against hers.

Finally... I crossed the line.

At first, she was taken aback, her body tensing in surprise. But I didn’t pull away; I held the kiss, allowing the moment to deepen. After a brief pause, I felt her lips begin to part slightly, a flicker of warmth igniting between us. As her hands wrapped around my neck and she rose onto her tiptoes to meet me, I instinctively pulled her even closer, surrendering to the intimacy of the kiss.

Time seemed to stand still as the world around us faded away. The soft warmth of her lips against mine was both exhilarating and comforting, a blend of emotions swirling inside me.

And like this ... we became best friends, lovers and life partners from rivals.