Twisted love

An Unexpected Evening

Chapter 15

present

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Katherine's POV

The day had started ordinarily enough. A bit of work, some errands, and texts exchanged with a few friends. My life had been moving in its carefully controlled rhythm—steady, predictable, safe. But by early evening, as I wrapped up a project in the quiet corner of the library, everything shifted with a single sentence.

"Katherine," Andrew's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as he appeared beside me, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

I looked up, surprised to find him here of all places, though that wasn't the real shock. "Andrew! Hey, I didn't know you... uh... needed a book or something?"

He chuckled lightly, his gaze drifting from the shelves around us back to me. "Not exactly." There was an awkward pause, the kind where he'd usually say a quick goodbye and retreat. But today, he lingered, as if caught in his own indecision.

Then, just when I was about to fill the silence with some meaningless remark, he said it. "Would you want to... go out with me sometime?"

My heart stilled. Of all the questions he could've asked, I hadn't expected that. Although, if I was honest, there had been little signs over the years—quick glances, small favors, the way he'd linger in a conversation longer than necessary. I'd always brushed it off as him being polite, maybe just a little overprotective. But a date?

I managed a small smile. "Yeah, I'd like that." His reaction was immediate—relief mixed with a boyish grin, his usually reserved expression lighting up.

And so, the date was set.

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As I sat there, processing Andrew's unexpected invitation, a strange warmth spread through me, a soft flutter that left me both surprised and... curious. I'd always known he cared, sensed a quiet admiration in the way he looked at me, but I'd never allowed myself to think of it as something more. And yet, hearing him ask me on a date—those words made something in my heart skip. It was like discovering a hidden side of him, a part that had quietly held space for me all this time. There was comfort in it, a gentleness that felt unhurried, like he'd been waiting for the right moment to show me what he'd kept buried. As much as the invitation shocked me, it made me wonder: had I missed something? Had Andrew been there, silently hoping I'd see him this way, all along?

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I stood in front of my mirror moments later, lost In thoughts, my fingers fiddling with the necklace around my neck as I eyed my reflection. A simple dress, soft waves in my hair, a touch of makeup. Nothing too dramatic, but enough to show I cared.

A part of me felt nervous, and I couldn't quite place why. It was just Andrew, after all. The quiet, thoughtful guy who'd been there for me through some of my hardest times. But as I smoothed down my dress, I felt a strange anticipation, a fluttering in my chest that I hadn't felt in a long time.

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The evening felt wrapped in a quiet magic from the start, as if each moment had been carefully crafted just for us. Andrew picked me up and led me to a quaint little park that I hadn't been to since childhood. I'd mentioned it once in passing, a memory I thought he'd long forgotten. Yet here we were, walking under the glow of fairy lights he'd set up along the pathway, casting a warm, intimate light over everything. Soft music played from a speaker he'd tucked somewhere nearby—our own private soundtrack drifting through the cool night air.

He'd set up a small picnic near a spot overlooking the lake, where a view of the city skyline sparkled in the distance. It was perfect, every detail designed to make me feel special, from the blanket he'd chosen in my favorite color to the basket filled with homemade food. As he unpacked it, I was stunned by how much thought he'd put into each choice. He'd remembered every little preference I'd mentioned over the years—my love for strawberries, the way I liked my sandwiches with extra avocado, and even a jar of my favorite honey for dessert.

As we ate, he shared memories I'd never heard before, moments from his own life that he'd kept private until now. There was something in his voice that told me this wasn't just any date. It felt like he'd been planning this for years, curating each memory, each detail, waiting for the perfect time to share them with me. I could see it in his eyes—the way he'd watch me smile, his gaze soft and filled with something deep, something real. It was as if he'd poured pieces of his heart into every little thing around us, inviting me to step into a world he'd made just for me.