Chapter 4

Jalen took Kristen to a small, relaxed spot, a bar and grill with a mix of booths and high-top tables, warm lighting, and a casual crowd. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t romantic. But somehow, that almost made it worse. Because it wasn’t the place that mattered. It was him. Kristen told herself this was just dinner. Just two colleagues grabbing a meal after a long week. But the moment they sat down across from each other, menus in hand, she felt it. The same undeniable pull that had been following them all week. She needed to talk, about anything, before her thoughts betrayed her even more.

“So,” she started, clearing her throat, “how do you usually spend your weekends when you’re not working?” She asked.

Jalen leaned back slightly, his dark eyes flicking over her before he answered. “Nothing too crazy. I usually catch a game, maybe shoot some hoops, hang out with my boys. What about you?”

Kristen hesitated. What could she say? Should she tell him the truth? That most of her weekends consisted of boring, routine dinners with Rob followed by them sitting in the same room, barely talking, watching separate screens?

She went for a half-truth instead. “I don’t know. I feel like most weekends just ... blend together.”

Jalen gave her a look like he knew exactly what she meant. “Yeah?” he mused, his tone just a little too knowing.

Kristen shrugged, staring at her water glass. “Yeah.”

And then ... He asked the question she had been dreading. “So what’s the deal with you and Rob?”

Kristen’s stomach tightened. She looked up, and Jalen was watching her closely now. Not teasing. Not smirking. Just watching. Waiting.

Kristen swallowed, forcing a small smile. “What do you mean?”

Jalen leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. “I mean ... do you ever talk about him? ‘Cause I’ve been around you all week, and his name barely comes up.”

Kristen’s throat went dry. She hadn’t even realized it until now. She had barely mentioned Rob at all. Kristen licked her lips, shifting in her seat. “We’ve just been busy. He travels a lot for work. It’s fine.”

Jalen raised an eyebrow. “Is it?”

Kristen’s stomach twisted. She knew what he was doing. He was giving her a chance to be honest. A chance to admit that her relationship wasn’t as solid as it should be.

Kristen exhaled sharply, looking away. “It’s ... complicated.”

Jalen didn’t push. But his silence said everything.

Later in the conversation Jalen was sharing his thoughts on relationships, making Kristen question her own even more. Kristen sat perfectly still, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her water glass, trying not to let Jalen’s words sink in too deeply. But it was impossible. Because every single thing he was saying was hitting home in a way she wasn’t ready for. Jalen sat across from her, relaxed but intentional, his deep voice steady, his gaze locked onto hers like he wasn’t just speaking--He was making a point.

“I just think...” Jalen started, swirling the ice in his drink before glancing back at her. “A relationship shouldn’t feel like a job. It shouldn’t feel like you’re constantly convincing yourself you’re happy when you’re really not.”

Kristen’s stomach tightened. Jalen leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

“I believe that if you’re with someone, you should feel loved. Completely. And if you ever stop feeling that way, you should be able to talk about it. If you can’t? If the other person isn’t willing to hear you out or give you what you need?” He shook his head, “Then they don’t deserve you.”

Kristen swallowed hard, looking away. Because the words felt like they were tailored for her. Like he had been watching her all week, reading every hesitation, every strained smile, every moment where she had held back the truth. She had spent so much time convincing herself that her relationship with Rob was fine. That the distance was just a phase. That the lack of passion was normal after being together for a few years. That it was okay to go days, sometimes weeks, without having a real conversation. But sitting here, listening to Jalen say it so plainly, so confidently. It made her feel like she had been lying to herself for a long time.

She forced a small smile, trying to deflect. “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”

Jalen gave a low chuckle. “Not at all. But I know what I want. And I know what I won’t settle for.”

Kristen bit the inside of her cheek, her heart pounding. Because if Jalen believed that ... If he truly refused to settle for anything less than real love, real effort, real passion ... Then what the hell was she doing? She glanced down at her phone, still in her lap, the screen dark. No texts. No missed calls. Rob hadn’t even noticed she was gone. Jalen noticed. Jalen saw her. Jalen listened. Kristen inhaled sharply, blinking a few times to shake the weight of her thoughts.

“I should probably get going soon,” she said quickly, feeling like she needed to run before she let this get any deeper.

Jalen didn’t argue. Didn’t push. Just nodded slowly, his eyes still watching her closely. “Alright.”

But there was something in his tone. Something like he knew this conversation wasn’t over.

Kristen went home. She walked into the house, her mind still tangled in the conversation she’d just had with Jalen. Her entire drive home, she had told herself that this wasn’t about Jalen. This was about her relationship. This was about figuring out if she and Rob were even on the same page anymore. She had to talk to him. She needed to talk to him. She had been putting it off for too long. And after hearing Jalen say, so clearly, that a relationship should be about feeling loved, that partners should be able to communicate when they don’t feel that way, Kristen knew she had to say something.

Because if she didn’t? Then maybe Jalen was right. Maybe Rob really didn’t deserve her.

Kristen found Rob in the living room, sitting on the couch, laptop open, barely acknowledging her when she walked in. Of course. She set her purse down and took a deep breath. “Hey, can we talk?”

Rob barely looked up, still typing something. “Yeah, give me a second. Just finishing this email.”

Kristen swallowed down her frustration, waiting until he finally shut his laptop and turned to her.

“What’s up?” he asked, as if this was just a normal night. As if she hadn’t been sitting on something that had been eating away at her for months.

She crossed her arms, choosing her words carefully. “I just ... I feel like we don’t really talk anymore. We don’t spend time together like we used to.”

Rob sighed, already looking exhausted by the conversation before it even started. “Kristen, we’ve been over this. You know I’ve been busy with work.”

Kristen’s chest tightened. She wasn’t going to let him brush her off this time. “I know you’re busy, Rob. But I’m telling you that I feel like our relationship isn’t getting the attention it needs. And if we don’t put in the effort, it’s going to--”

“Kristen, this is a crucial time in my career,” he cut in, rubbing his temples like he was already tired of this. “I need to be hyper-focused right now because this could eventually set me up for a cushy position in the future.”

Kristen stared at him. That’s what this was about? He wanted her to just wait it out until he got some easier job in the future? “Rob, I get that your job is important. But our relationship needs attention too. Or it can die.”

Rob shook his head, clearly not seeing it the same way. “No, what I need is for you to be more supportive during this time,” he argued. “This isn’t forever, Kristen. I just need you to hang on until I get to a better position.”

Kristen felt a sharp pang in her chest. That was it? That was his solution? For her to just wait? For her to deal with the loneliness, the lack of connection, the emotional distance until some undefined point in the future when he finally decided to make her a priority?

Her fingers tightened into fists at her sides. “And what if I don’t want to wait, Rob?” she asked quietly.

Rob finally looked at her, really looked at her, and for a split second, she saw it. The realization that maybe, just maybe, he was losing her. But instead of trying to fix it, instead of meeting her halfway, he just exhaled sharply. “Kristen, I don’t have time for this conversation right now.”

And with that, he grabbed his laptop, stood up, and walked toward their bedroom. Leaving her standing there alone. Again. Just like always. Kristen felt frozen in place, her mind spinning, her chest tight. He didn’t get it. He wasn’t even trying to get it. And maybe ... Maybe that was the real problem. She had been fooling herself for months, pretending that things would get better, that this was just a rough patch. But what if it wasn’t? What if this was just who Rob was? Someone who would always put work first. Someone who expected her to just wait around, hoping for scraps of his attention. She had been waiting for a sign. And now, she had it. Jalen’s words echoed in her head.

“If the other person isn’t willing to hear you out or give you what you need ... then they don’t deserve you.”

Kristen blinked, her throat tight, her mind made up. She wasn’t going to wait forever. She wasn’t going to let herself disappear in this relationship. Because she deserved more. She deserved to be loved. And if Rob couldn’t see that? Then maybe it was time to stop pretending this was something it wasn’t. Kristen hadn’t even thought to check her phone while arguing with Rob. She had been too caught up, too frustrated, too disappointed to even glance at it. But now? Now that she was alone, sitting on the couch in the dimly lit living room, her thoughts racing-- She finally picked up her phone and unlocked it. And that’s when she saw it. A message from Jalen. On Facebook Messenger:

“Hey, thanks for having dinner with me. I know your schedule is busy. I hope your fiancé knows how awesome you are.”

Kristen stared at the words, her breath catching in her throat. It wasn’t flirtatious. It wasn’t even inappropriate. But somehow, it still felt heavier than it should. Because Jalen had just done something Rob hadn’t done in a long time. He had acknowledged her. He had appreciated her. And the worst part? She didn’t even have an answer to the unspoken question in his message. Did Rob know how amazing she was? Because after the conversation she’d just had with him, the answer felt painfully clear. No. He didn’t. Not in the way Jalen already seemed to. And that was the part that scared her the most. Kristen’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to respond. She wanted to say something. But what? What was there to say? She couldn’t tell him about the argument she’d just had with Rob. She couldn’t tell him how much his words had made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t felt in so long. She couldn’t tell him that she was laying here, heart pounding, knowing damn well that she was on the edge of something she wouldn’t be able to come back from. So instead, she did nothing. She locked her phone and set it face-down on the couch, as if that would stop her from thinking about him. As if that would erase the fact that Jalen’s words had lingered longer than Rob’s ever did. As if she didn’t already know, deep down, that her life was on the verge of changing. And it was only a matter of time before she stopped fighting it.

A few hours later, Kristen laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a war zone. Her body was exhausted, but her brain wouldn’t shut off. Not after that conversation with Rob. Not after Jalen’s message. Not after the way her heart had pounded when she read it, like her body already knew the truth before she was willing to admit it. She had set her phone down, convinced that ignoring it would make everything go away. But it didn’t. The words were still there, playing over and over again in her head like a song she couldn’t turn off.

“Hey, thanks for having dinner with me. I know your schedule is busy. I hope your fiancé knows how awesome you are.”

Does he know? Does he even care? Kristen rolled onto her side, her fingers itching to pick up her phone again. She wanted to respond. She wanted to type something, anything, just to keep the conversation going. But she didn’t trust herself. Not right now. Not when her emotions were too raw, too tangled up in everything that had just happened. She needed to be careful. One wrong move, and she was crossing a line. A line that she wasn’t sure she’d be able to come back from. She stared at her phone, debating. She could say something polite and neutral.

“Thanks, Jalen. Dinner was nice.” Safe. But too impersonal. Too much like she was ignoring what he had really said. She could be honest.

“Rob doesn’t see me the way you do.” Kristen’s heart skipped a beat just thinking about typing that. Because if she said it out loud, then she couldn’t keep pretending anymore. Then she would have to face the truth. That Jalen wasn’t just some harmless distraction. That this wasn’t just some passing moment of temptation. That there was something real between them. And if she admitted that ... What would that mean for everything else?

Kristen tossed and turned all night, her phone still sitting untouched on the nightstand. She would close her eyes, only to see Jalen’s face in her mind. The way he had looked at her over dinner. The way he had talked about relationships, about love, about not settling. The way his voice had sounded so sure, so certain in what he wanted. And then she would think of Rob. How he had dismissed her. How he had basically told her to just wait. Wait to be loved. Wait to matter. Kristen’s chest tightened. She turned over, staring at her phone one more time. The message was still there. Waiting. Just like her. But in the end? She didn’t respond. She just let it sit there. And even though she never typed a single word back, she knew something had already shifted. And no matter how hard she tried to fight it ... She wasn’t sure she wanted to stop it anymore.

On Monday, Kristen hung back at the end of the day to talk to Jalen again. Kristen had been telling herself all day that she wasn’t going to do this. That she wasn’t going to linger when she didn’t have to. But here she was. It was the end of the workday, and most of the staff had already left, leaving the building quiet. Jalen was still wrapping up in the storage room, looking over his notes, packing up his tools. And Kristen? Kristen was standing in the doorway. She didn’t even remember how she got here. But the moment Jalen looked up and saw her standing there, she knew. She wasn’t fooling anyone. Least of all, herself.

Jalen smirked lightly, tossing his gloves into his bag. “You checking on me again?” Kristen tried to play it cool, crossing her arms. “Someone’s gotta make sure you’re actually working.”

Jalen let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You really don’t trust me, huh?”

Kristen hated how easily he could disarm her. How comfortable this felt. Like they were already more than they should be.

She exhaled, stepping further into the room. “I just ... wanted to talk.”

Jalen nodded slowly, leaning against the workbench, watching her. Not pushing, not teasing. Just waiting. And before she knew it, they were talking again. Really talking. About work. About life. About things they hadn’t told anyone else. And then, the conversation landed on Rob. Kristen felt her chest tighten, but for some reason, it didn’t feel as scary as it had before. Because Jalen wasn’t asking her anything. He wasn’t prying. He was just relating. She told him how she and Rob didn’t feel close anymore and how their last conversation went.

“I get it,” Jalen said, exhaling. “I mean, it’s not the same, but me and my brother? We haven’t been that close lately.”

Kristen looked at him, surprised. “Really? What happened?”

Jalen hesitated, running a hand over his jaw. “It’s not one big thing. Just ... life. We grew up together, we were close, but after high school, we started going in different directions. And now?” He exhaled sharply. “Feels like we don’t even talk anymore. And when we do, it’s short. Surface-level. Like we’re just going through the motions.”

Kristen’s stomach twisted. Because that sounded so familiar. It was like he was describing her relationship with Rob. The slow disconnect. The feeling of being around someone, but still feeling alone.

“That must be hard,” she murmured.

Jalen gave a small, tired shrug. “Yeah. It is. But I’ve realized something.”

Kristen tilted her head. “What’s that?”

Jalen’s dark eyes met hers. “Some things you can fix. Some things you can’t. But either way, you gotta be real with yourself about which one it is.”

Kristen swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Because the moment he said it, she felt a sinking feeling in her chest. Like she already knew the answer when it came to Rob. Like she already knew she had been lying to herself for too long. And Jalen? Jalen could see it in her eyes. And that scared her more than anything.

Kristen hadn’t meant to say it. She hadn’t meant to admit how bad things had really gotten. But once Jalen opened the door, she couldn’t stop herself.

“Rob and I ... we haven’t had a real date in almost eight months.”

Jalen’s eyebrows lifted slightly, but he didn’t interrupt. He just let her talk. Kristen let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair.

“I can’t even remember the last time I had a fun night out. Not one that didn’t feel forced. Not one where I wasn’t just ... waiting for him to check his damn phone or stop thinking about work.”

Jalen leaned against the workbench, arms crossed over his chest, watching her closely. And then ... he smirked.

“Then maybe it’s time you have one.”

Kristen blinked. “What?”

Jalen shrugged casually, like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“I was already planning to hit up Dave & Buster’s tonight. If you’re free, you should come.”

Kristen’s stomach dropped. That was dangerous. That was so, so dangerous. She hesitated. “Jalen, I...” And then she remembered-- Rob wasn’t even in town. She didn’t have an excuse. She didn’t have a reason to say no. Except for the one that really mattered. That this was a bad idea. That this was the kind of thing that could lead to something neither of them could take back. That she already wanted to say yes too much. Jalen must have seen the hesitation on her face, because he smirked again.

“Relax, Kristen. It’s just games, drinks, and a good time. No pressure.”

No pressure. That was such a lie. Because every time she was around him, it felt like the air was thick with pressure. But still ... She wanted this. She wanted a night where she could just be herself. Where she wasn’t waiting for someone to pay attention to her. Where she could actually have fun. And maybe, just maybe, she wanted to see what it would feel like to be out with Jalen. Just once. Kristen took a breath.

And then, before she could talk herself out of it... “Okay. I’ll go.”

Jalen’s smile widened, slow and knowing. “Good choice.”

Kristen had spent the entire drive to Dave & Buster’s giving herself a pep talk. “This isn’t a date. This isn’t a date. This isn’t a date.”

Kristen changed into more comfortable clothes. She changed into a grey tank top with a dark green jacket, black leggings, and New Balance sneakers. It was just a casual night out. A friendship thing. Something normal and harmless. But the moment she walked into the bar area and saw Jalen standing there, waiting for her, something in her chest tightened. Because he looked good. Too good. He wasn’t in his usual work clothes. No worn-out T-shirt or tool belt. Instead, he was wearing a fitted black polo that clung to his broad chest and shoulders, paired with clean dark jeans and fresh sneakers. He looked casual, effortless ... but still ridiculously attractive. And when he saw her? That slow, knowing smirk of his made her feel completely exposed. Like he already knew this wasn’t just casual for her, no matter how much she tried to pretend. God, what was she doing here? They started with drinks at the bar, something light to ease into the night. Kristen kept telling herself that this was just hanging out--that this wasn’t a big deal. And for a while, it worked. They talked, they laughed, the drinks flowed. But then they started playing the games. And that’s when it really started to feel like something else.

Kristen hadn’t been to Dave & Buster’s in years. But Jalen? Jalen moved through the place like it was his second home. Skee-ball, basketball hoops, racing games--he was good at all of it. And the way he played? So relaxed, so confident, so effortlessly fun-- Kristen realized something. She hadn’t felt this alive in a long time. She wasn’t thinking about work. She wasn’t checking her phone. She wasn’t wondering if Rob was going to call. She was just in the moment. And with every game, every playful challenge, every little bit of teasing and laughter between them-- She could feel it. That undeniable pull. The way her body gravitated toward his. The way his hand brushed against hers, how her pulse jumped every time he leaned in close. At one point, they were at a basketball shooting game, and Jalen stood behind her, watching her take a shot.

“You got the form down, but your release is too slow,” he murmured.

Kristen rolled her eyes, smirking. “Oh, so now you’re a coach?”

Jalen chuckled. “I’m just saying, I could help.” And before she could say anything else, he stepped behind her, hands lightly resting on her waist as he adjusted her posture.

Kristen’s breath hitched. Because suddenly, she wasn’t thinking about the game anymore. She was thinking about how close he was. How warm his hands felt. How every inch of her body was hyper-aware of his presence.

“Try now,” he said, his voice close to her ear. Kristen tried. She missed.

Jalen laughed. “Yeah, no, that was worse.”

Kristen turned, smacking him lightly on the chest. “You’re terrible at this!”

Jalen grinned. “Or maybe you’re just distracted.”

And the way he said it, low, teasing, a little too knowing, made her feel completely exposed.

It wasn’t until later in the night, when they were sitting at a high-top table, sharing a plate of fries and another round of drinks, that it really hit her. This wasn’t just casual. This wasn’t just fun. This felt like a date. And the worst part? It was the best date she’d had in years. She wasn’t pretending to have fun. She wasn’t waiting for Rob to engage. She wasn’t feeling like an afterthought. She was just enjoying herself. Enjoying Jalen. And when she looked across the table at him, at the way his dark eyes were focused on her, the way his lips curled in that slow, easy smile. She knew this was dangerous. Because if she wasn’t careful, she wasn’t just going to like spending time with Jalen. She was going to start wanting more. And there was only so long she could lie to herself about that.

Kristen had been doing so well. She had been convincing herself all night that this was just casual. Just two people hanging out. Just something harmless.

But then Jalen said it..., “I didn’t expect to like you as much as I do.”

And just like that, the ground beneath her shifted. Kristen’s breath caught in her throat. Her fingers tightened around her glass, but she didn’t take a sip. She couldn’t. Because he had just changed everything. Jalen wasn’t smirking anymore. He wasn’t teasing. He was just looking at her, calm and sure, like he had nothing to hide. Like he wasn’t afraid to say what she was too scared to admit. Kristen swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She should have shut this down. She should have laughed it off, pretended like she didn’t feel the exact same thing. But she couldn’t. Because the truth was? She liked him too. A lot more than she ever expected to. And that? That was the scariest thing of all.

Kristen finally found her voice, but it was softer than she meant it to be. “Jalen...”

He tilted his head slightly, watching her closely. “What?”

Kristen inhaled sharply, trying to pull herself together. “We--this--” she hesitated, shaking her head. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”

Jalen didn’t flinch. “Yeah ... but it is.”

His confidence rattled her. Like he wasn’t confused about this at all. Like he already knew what he wanted. Kristen exhaled, finally tearing her eyes away from him.

“I have a fiancé,” she murmured, as if she needed to remind herself.

Jalen let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “Yeah, Kristen. I know.” And the way he said it--like it didn’t mean what she wanted it to mean, like it didn’t change what was happening between them. It sent a sharp, heated jolt through her chest. Because it didn’t change anything. Not really. Not the way she felt sitting across from him. Not the way her pulse raced every time he looked at her like that. Not the way she had spent all night wanting more. Kristen could feel it. The moment hanging in the air. A moment where she had to choose. She could shut this down. Tell him it didn’t matter. Tell him she didn’t feel the same. Or-- She could be honest. And that? That would change everything.

Kristen’s pulse was racing. Her body was too warm, her mind spinning, and she knew--She had to go. Now. Before she said something she couldn’t take back. Before she did something she wouldn’t be able to undo.

She pushed back from the table, trying to keep her voice steady. “I--I have to go.”

Jalen’s expression shifted, his smirk fading. For the first time tonight, he looked ... disappointed. Not angry. Not frustrated. Just ... Sad. Like he had been expecting this to happen but had hoped, even just a little, that she might stay. Kristen grabbed her purse, avoiding his gaze.

“Thanks for tonight,” she said quickly, already turning away.

Already running. Because that’s what this was. A retreat. A desperate attempt to get away from a feeling that was already sinking too deep. Jalen didn’t stop her. Didn’t try to change her mind. Didn’t push. He just sat there, watching her go, his fingers drumming lightly against the table. But as she walked away, she could feel it, his eyes on her. That heavy, unspoken weight between them. And the worst part? She didn’t want to leave. But she had to. Because if she stayed, she knew exactly what would happen. And she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. Kristen sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel, staring at the glowing city lights through her windshield. Her chest was tight, her thoughts racing. What the hell was she doing? What was she feeling? Why did leaving Jalen feel like she had just made the biggest mistake of her life? She had done the right thing. She had walked away. She had stopped this before it could go too far. So why did she feel like she had just lost something? Why did she feel like she had just broken something in him? She thought about his face. That moment of visible sadness. The way he didn’t try to stop her. The way he let her go like he knew it was what she thought she needed. Kristen exhaled sharply, pressing her forehead against the steering wheel. Because the truth was? She didn’t know what she needed anymore. But one thing was becoming painfully clear. She had never felt this way about Rob. And that? That scared her more than anything.

Kristen did exactly what she thought she needed to do. She stayed away. No check-ins. No lingering conversations. No casual “just passing by” excuses to see him. Nothing. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Three whole days. Three whole days of forcing herself to focus on work, forcing herself to pretend that nothing had happened, forcing herself to act normal. And yet ... it didn’t feel normal. Because the second she started avoiding Jalen, it was like she had switched off a light inside herself. Like she was going through the motions, but not actually there. And worst of all? She knew Jalen noticed. She didn’t have to ask if he noticed. She could feel it. The absence of their usual banter. The way he didn’t so much as glance in her direction when she passed by. The way he didn’t reach out, didn’t text, didn’t even try to get her attention. It was like he was giving her exactly what she wanted. Or at least, what she said she wanted. And somehow, that made it so much worse. She sat in her office late Thursday afternoon, staring blankly at her computer screen, realizing that she had barely gotten anything done. Her mind kept wandering. Back to Friday night. Back to Dave & Buster’s. Back to the way she had laughed so freely, smiled so effortlessly, felt so seen. Back to the way Jalen had looked at her when he said: “I didn’t expect to like you as much as I do.”

Kristen swallowed hard, shutting her eyes. She had been running all week. She had been trying to pretend like she wasn’t feeling something. But now, she had to ask herself, did she really want him to stop trying? Because if she kept this up, if she kept shutting him out, eventually, he was going to believe it. That she didn’t want him. That she was fine without him. That she wasn’t falling apart inside every time she thought about him. And that? That scared her more than anything. Kristen had spent all week trying to push her feelings aside. Trying to convince herself that things would settle back into place. That if she just stayed away from Jalen, everything would go back to normal. That she and Rob would fall back into sync. That she wouldn’t feel so alone in her own relationship. But when Rob walked through the door Thursday night around 7:45 pm, everything became painfully clear. She had been lying to herself.