Leo hated it.
Hated how his heart raced when he saw Zara's texts light up her phone.
Hated how Noah's name kept popping up.
And most of all, he hated how Zara's smile looked different when she talked to that guy.
So when Zara invited him to help her shop for new headphones—"Because you're picky and I need good ones!"—Leo practically sprinted out of his apartment.
---
They ended up in an electronics store, Zara trying on every headset while Leo judged mercilessly.
"Nope. Those make you look like an air traffic controller," he said.
Zara switched to another. "Okay, DJ then?"
"More like someone who lost a DJ battle."
She laughed, and Leo's heart did that stupid flip thing again.
"Ugh, you're impossible," she groaned, tossing the headset back. "Just pick one for me."
Leo picked the sleek black ones without a second thought. "Perfect for you. Strong, stylish, a bit intimidating."
Zara paused. "You… think I'm intimidating?"
Leo looked at her. "Yeah. But in a good way. Like… you're honest. You don't pretend. It's refreshing."
Zara felt her cheeks warm. "Wow. That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
Leo smirked. "Don't get used to it."
They left the store with the new headphones, strolling down the street, Zara occasionally bumping into Leo just for fun.
---
Meanwhile…
Milo and Jessie were at her apartment, trying a "Cook with Me" challenge.
Jessie was determined to make a soufflé.
Milo was determined to not burn down her kitchen.
"Okay, just a little more flour…" Jessie muttered, her face dusted in white powder.
Milo leaned over, smirking. "You look like you just lost a fight with a pastry ghost."
She blew flour in his face. "And now you're haunted too."
Milo burst out laughing, catching her around the waist. "Revenge is sweet, huh?"
Jessie wiggled free, grabbing a spoon. "Stay back, or I'll… I'll…"
"What? Spoon me to death?"
She lunged. He dodged.
But then she slipped on a bit of spilled batter—right into Milo's arms.
For a second, they were too close.
Her hands on his chest. His arms steadying her.
"Careful," he whispered.
"Thanks," she breathed.
Silence.
Then the oven beeped. Loudly.
Jessie's cheeks flushed. "Uh, soufflé. Right."
Milo's lips curled into a smile. "Yeah. Wouldn't want to miss that... disaster."
She whacked his arm lightly, but her heart was racing.
---
Back to Zara and Leo…
They walked by the park, and Leo bought her a pink cotton candy without asking.
She stared at it. "You remembered?"
"Of course. You're a sugar addict in disguise."
Zara smiled, tearing a piece. "I'll have you know, sugar keeps me sweet."
"Debatable," he teased.
They found a bench, Zara offering him some of the cotton candy.
Leo leaned in, but instead of taking it with his hand, he leaned closer—biting it right out of her fingers.
Zara's breath caught. "Leo."
"Hmm?" he mumbled, pretending not to notice how close they were.
"You… you're being…"
"Charming? Adorable? Irresistible?"
She laughed, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks. "Annoying."
He grinned. "You love it."
And he was right. She did.
---
Later that night…
Zara's phone buzzed.
Noah: "So, are we still on for coffee tomorrow?"
Zara hesitated.
Her mind flashed to Leo's grin. His teasing voice. The way his dark eyes softened whenever he looked at her.
But then she thought of Noah's easy smile, his sharp humor, his mysterious knowledge of the app that started all this.
Zara: "Sure. Same place?"
Noah: "Perfect. Looking forward to it."
Zara stared at the screen.
What is wrong with me?
---
Bonus Scene:
Leo's phone lit up with a message from Jessie.
> Jessie: "Did you finally tell her you're crazy about her?"
> Leo: "Not yet. But I think… I'm getting closer."
> Jessie: "Good. Because Noah is clearly making his move."
Leo's jaw tightened.
> Leo: "Not for long."