Peter stood in the doorway of their bedroom, watching Selena fold their blanket. Her movements were calm, too calm for the chaos he felt in his chest.
"Selena," he said, voice soft but strained.
She didn't stop folding.
He stepped inside and closed the door gently behind him. "I know you're angry. I know I hurt you. But I need to ask you something… just one thing."
She finally looked at him, but only from the corner of her eye. Her expression was unreadable, blank almost, and that somehow hurt more than shouting ever could.
"Don't meet him again," Peter said quietly. "Please."
Selena blinked slowly. "Him?"
"You know who I mean."
Her eyes turned back to the bed. She didn't respond.
"I'm not asking for forever," he continued, stepping closer. "Just… give us some space to figure this out. Without him between us."
Selena hit the pillow to fluff it up again. Then she walked around him toward the vanity, brushing her fingers through her tangled hair like he hadn't said a word.
Peter stood there, waiting. Hoping. When it became obvious she wasn't going to respond, he let out a breath and nodded to himself like he understood, though, truthfully, he didn't.
He moved to her, hesitated, then leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"I'll be back later," he said softly. "Please… just think about what I said."
Selena didn't answer. She didn't even flinch at his touch.
Moments later, she heard the front door close and the sound of Peter's car pulling out of the driveway. The room grew still. Selena closed her eyes, breathing in silence.
Then her phone buzzed.
Jack: Hey, just realized something… your car's still at the club, right?
She blinked. Her car. She had completely forgotten about it. Everything from that night blurred into heat, kisses, and a hotel bed that didn't belong to either of them.
Selena: Oh my God, you're right. I totally forgot. That's so embarrassing!
Jack: I can grab it for you if you want. I'll just Uber there and drive it back to your place.
Selena: Would you? That'd be amazing. I can FaceTime you if the staff gets weird about it.
Jack: Please do. You know I love having your face as backup when I'm pretending to be a responsible adult.
Selena smiled at her screen, the first real smile in hours.
Jack: Besides… you'll owe me. Maybe in kisses.
She bit her lip. Her fingers hovered over the screen as butterflies flitted in her stomach.
Selena: You're getting greedy, Mr. Brooks.
Jack: Nope. Just hopeful.
She tucked her phone under her pillow and exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. Everything felt off-kilter, like the world was tilting and she had to relearn how to stand straight. Peter's kiss on her forehead had left behind an ache she couldn't quite name. Not love. Not anymore. But maybe guilt. Maybe memory. Still, the sound of Jack's texts, his humor, his steadiness, the way he made the air in her lungs feel lighter, pulled her forward, out of the fog.
She showered quickly, changing into a loose sundress and tying her hair up into a bun. Nothing dramatic. She didn't have the energy for dramatic anymore.
By the time she walked back to the bedroom, her phone buzzed again.
Jack: Made it to the club. Car's here and untouched. Told them I'm your boyfriend. They gave me a look.
Selena: Boyfriend, huh? Bold move.
Jack: Only saying what I'd love to make true.
She froze at that.
A slow warmth crept up her chest. It wasn't just the flirtation, it was the intention. Jack wasn't playing games. He wasn't asking her to wait or twist herself into something new. He wanted her. The messy, bruised version of her. And right now, that meant everything, but she's done with 'love'. She doesn't want to know any love anymore.
She started typing a response, then paused when her phone rang. Jack was FaceTiming.
She answered quickly, and his face appeared, sunlit and grinning.
"Hey," he said. "Told them you'd vouch for me. Think you can do that without admitting I'm a liar?"
She laughed. "Let's find out."
He turned the camera toward the club's manager, who looked more annoyed than anything.
"Is this your car, ma'am?" the woman asked bluntly.
"Yes," Selena confirmed. "That's my car. He's… with me."
The woman nodded and walked away without another word.
"Wow," Jack said, grinning back at the camera. "She's got a real warm personality."
"She must've worked the night shift."
"Still didn't stop me from charming her."
Selena smiled again, a little longer this time. "Thank you for doing this."
"Of course. I'm your man, remember?"
She shook her head, cheeks flushed, but didn't deny it.
Jack started walking toward her car, unlocking it and sliding into the driver's seat. "I'll be there in twenty."
Selena nodded, then quickly ended the call before she said something too revealing.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Peter had asked for space, then changed his mind. Jack had shown up when her world cracked open, and here she was, hovering in her own mind, not sure about everything.