Meant to Collide

37. The Gift of a Moment

Jules descends the company steps, a shy smile dancing on her face as she steals a moment of privacy. She FaceTimes Jim, Tee, and Kade, and is greeted with a chaotic screen: Jim is in a bathrobe, Kade has only half her makeup on, and Tee seems lost in another world.

"Hey, everyone! Is something going on?" Jules asks, amused.

"Of course!" Jim exclaims. "We're planning Hon's birthday surprise. But we're running out of fresh ideas."

"We could do a... non-surprise surprise?" Kade suggests with a smirk.

Jim rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. That's so shallow. Why don't we put his stumpy grandmother in a box? Now that would be a surprise!"

Kade raises an eyebrow. "If she suffocates, do we switch to a coffin?"

Laughing, Tee adds, "That might actually be his best birthday gift!"

Jules chuckles at their banter, while Jim notices her smile fading slightly. "Mon, what's on your mind?" she asks.

Jules hesitates, then admits, "I was just thinking... about getting a gift for Sir Sky."

"Oh, don't bother," Tee quips. "The guy practically owns everything—except his freedom." Kade teases Tee, suggesting he could script for her future series. With a smile, Jules excuses herself to get back to work.

Later, as she leaves the office with friends Ryan, Sophie, and Ava, Ryan announces, "Finally, payday! I'm free from a month of suffering!"

"It's your first paycheck, Mon!" Sophie nudges Jules. "Celebrate with us at the buffet around the corner!"

Jules tries to decline, mentioning an errand. Ava grins, "Oh, come on! Are you meeting someone special?"

Brushing off the teasing, Jules heads to shop for Sky's gift. She scours store after store but finds nothing quite right. She sighs, lost in thought. Suddenly, Sky's voice interrupts, "What are you doing here? Talking to your imaginary friend?"

"Sir Sky!" Jules startles, turning to see him. She tries to keep calm. "What... a coincidence."

Sky raises an eyebrow. "Are you spending your paycheck already? Or meeting someone?"

"Are you stalking me?" Jules asks, slightly irritated.

Sky shrugs, hiding his curiosity. "Just making sure you're not the mole around here."

They banter back and forth until, finally, Jules blurts out, "I was looking for a gift for your birthday... and there goes my surprise."

Sky chuckles. "With your paycheck? You should save it."

Seeing her disappointment, he softens. "Fine. If you really want to give me something, just hand over the money. I'll pick something for myself."

"But that's not a gift," she protests. He smirks, takes the money, and tells her to go home.

The next evening, Jules and Sky meet again, only to be surprised by the lights turning on and Jim, Kade, Tee, and Dianne shouting, "Happy birthday!" Dressed in mismatched costumes, the trio erupts with enthusiasm.

"What's with your getup?" Sky asks, amused.

Kade strikes a pose. "We're your cheering squad!" Jim joins with a twist, wheeling in a machine. "Guess what this is? A... cash-cheer!"

The party kicks off, and Jules is called to sing, her voice softening as she meets Sky's gaze, singing "Thinking Out Loud." The air thickens as he watches her, their connection almost tangible.

After the song, Tee covers Sky's eyes, revealing a series of extravagant gifts from Kade, Jim, and Tee. Sky thanks them all, then Jim nudges Jules, who walks away quietly.

Spotting her retreat, Sky breaks away, finding her by the corner. "Mon, give me your hand," he says softly, placing a lip balm and some change in her palm.

"What's this?" Jules asks, perplexed.

"With the money you gave me, I bought a lip balm—strawberry flavor. Smells nice."

Touched but embarrassed, Jules stammers, "It's nothing compared to everyone else's gifts."

"Who says?" Sky replies, stepping closer. "The strawberry flavor suits you." He gently applies the balm to her lips, tilting her chin. "Perfect."

Jules, flushed and struggling to speak, whispers, "Why did you...?"

Before she can finish, he leans in, pressing a soft kiss on her lips. She freezes, heart racing. Smiling, Sky lifts her chin, and before she can react, he kisses her again, deeper this time. The world fades as she finds herself caught up in his embrace.