Part- 395:

  Mili gnced over at him, her gaze lingering for a beat lohan usual. Her expression was soft, almost thoughtful, and James could see the quiet smile tugging at the ers of her lips. It wasn’t the pyful, teasing smile he was used to, but something more sincere, mentle.

  “You know,” she said, her voice quieter now, as though she was testing the words, “this kind of feels like a date.”

  The word hit James like a soft punch to the gut. He bliaken aback. He’d been enjoying the evening—hadn’t thought of it as anything more than just two friends hanging out, catg up, enjoying the moment. But now, hearing her say it out loud, he began to wonder if there had been something more to it all along.

  “A date?” he repeated, unsure if he was hearing her right.

  Mili gnced away for a moment, her cheeks tinged pink as if the idea had suddenly embarrassed her. “Yeah, like... it feels like one of those low-key dates, you know? Not the fshy kind, but just two people enjoying each other’s pany, getting to know each other better. I don’t know, maybe I’m just overthinking it,” she added quickly, a slight ugh esg her.

  James felt a rush of warmth flood his chest. *A date?* His mind spun as he tried to make sense of it. He hadn’t thought of this evening in that way at all. Not that he didn’t enjoy being with Mili—he did. A lot. But the word *date* felt... different. His pulse quied slightly, the familiar ease of their friendship suddenly shifting into something unfamiliar. He wasn’t sure if he should ugh it off or let the thought settle. The truth was, he wasn’t sure what he wanted. But it felt... nice, hearing her say it. A small part of him wa to be true.

  “I guess…” he started, then stopped, not sure how to finish his thought. He looked at her, suddenly more aware of the way her eyes were studying him, the way the ers of her mouth were pulling into that smile again. “I hadn’t thought about it like that,” he said, his voice a little softer thaended.

  Mili seemed to be waiting for his response, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she smiled again, the kind of smile that made his stomach flutter uedly. “I mean, it’s not like I’m expeg anything crazy, James. We’re friends, right? It’s just—well, I guess sometimes, it’s o think about what things could be... if they were different. But no pressure,” she added quickly, almost as if she were reassuring herself.