Chapter 58

I didn’t exactly expect “surprise date” to mean a late-night visit to the town’s antique observatory, but then again, that was Xavier for you—always keeping me guessing. We stood on the creaky spiral staircase that led up to the top of the ancient stone tower, the dim lighting casting long shadows that danced with each step.

Xavier looked over his shoulder, one brow arched in that way he had that said, well, you coming or what?

I chuckled. “An observatory, huh? I didn’t peg you for the star-gazing type.”

Xavier shrugged, not breaking stride. “Just felt right. Besides,” he turned, his eyes flickering with a bit of that usual mischief, “figured it’d be quiet enough to hear yourself think for once.”

I gave him a gentle shove from behind, watching him stumble up a step before he regained his balance with a grin. “I think the last time I took time to listen to my thoughts, you were the one interrupting them.”

“Good. Means I’m doing my job.” He shot me a wink before reaching the landing and pushing open the heavy iron door to the observatory deck. “Now shut up and come look.”

I followed him out, the cool night air rushing past us as I took in the view. The town lay sprawled below us, tiny lights twinkling like stars themselves, and above, the sky was a canvas of deep blues and blacks, speckled with constellations I could only half recognize. It was beautiful, and even though I wouldn’t admit it right then, I understood exactly why he’d brought me here.

“This is… actually pretty incredible,” I murmured, stepping up beside him as he leaned against the railing.

He glanced over, a faint, almost shy smile on his lips. “Thought you’d like it. Figured you could use a break from all the craziness.”

I nodded, letting the calm sink in for a moment before I nudged him lightly with my elbow. “Okay, so what’s the real reason we’re here?”

Xavier smirked. “What, I need an ulterior motive?”

“With you? Definitely.”

He shrugged, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the railing. “Maybe I just like spending time with you, ever thought of that?”

I laughed, the sound coming out louder than I’d meant it to, echoing softly in the quiet night. “You? The same guy who acts like saying anything nice is a personal offense? You’ve got a funny way of showing it, Xav.”

He turned to look at me, his eyes reflecting the starlight, his expression softer than I’d ever seen it. “Maybe I do. But maybe that’s the point.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck before muttering, “Feels… different with you.”

The words hung in the air, suspended between us. I looked at him, really looked, and saw the tension in his posture, the way his jaw clenched, like he wasn’t used to admitting something that honest, even to himself. It tugged at something in my chest, a strange mixture of affection and respect.

“Doesn’t have to be hard, you know,” I said quietly, leaning against the railing beside him. “You don’t always have to be on guard with me. Whatever this is… it’s real, Xav.”

He swallowed, his gaze flickering away before he let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “Yeah, well, you’ve always been good at getting under my skin.”

I felt a surge of confidence and nudged his shoulder with my own. “That’s the point, isn’t it? Besides, I’d be lying if I said you didn’t do the same.”

Xavier’s smirk returned, this time a bit more genuine, as he turned to face me fully. “So you’re saying I’m stuck with you?”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Looks that way.”

He didn’t say anything for a long moment, just watched me, a slow smile playing at his lips. And then, without warning, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was somehow both gentle and electric, the kind that felt like it had been building for a long time. I felt his hand at the small of my back, pulling me closer, and I let myself get lost in it, the feel of him, the quiet urgency of the moment.

When we finally pulled back, his eyes searched mine, a flicker of something vulnerable in his gaze. “Guess I’m not so bad at this after all, huh?”

I grinned, catching his hand and holding it in mine, giving it a squeeze. “Not bad, Xav. Not bad at all.”

He squeezed back, his expression softening in a way that felt so uncharacteristic of him. “Good, ‘cause I think I’d like to keep you around.”

We stood like that for a while, watching the stars, the quiet filling the space between us. And though we didn’t say it, I knew we both felt the same thing—that strange, unexpected certainty that whatever this was, we’d hold onto it.

As we stood there, I realized this was the real Xavier—the one who didn’t need to hide behind his armor, who didn’t need to put up walls. And I’d be damned if I didn’t want to see more of him.