Jamie had sworn they'd learned their lesson. After last week's group dinner disaster and the Pictionary debacle, they thought: no more public displays of awkwardness. No more Taylor-induced embarrassment. No more reminders that the entire world thought they were a couple.
But apparently, the universe had a twisted sense of humor.
It all started with coffee.
Jamie needed caffeine. Urgent caffeine. The kind that could mask the remnants of last night's embarrassment and the lingering tension with Taylor. So they walked into their favorite café, headphones in, mind on autopilot.
Until Taylor appeared.
"Jamie!" Taylor's voice rang through the shop like a neon sign.
Jamie froze mid-step. Their pulse spiked. "You… you're everywhere."
Taylor grinned, holding a coffee in each hand. "I know. I'm hard to forget."
Jamie groaned, muttering under their breath. "You're impossible."
Taylor handed them a cup. "You looked like you needed this."
Jamie stared. "I—didn't—order that."
Taylor's grin widened. "Yes, you did. Telepathy. Also, it's a latte with extra foam. You'll thank me later."
Jamie rolled their eyes, but the warmth spreading through their chest betrayed them.
---
They moved to a corner table, Jamie trying to concentrate on their laptop while Taylor leaned across, resting an arm on the table. The proximity was infuriating.
"Busy?" Taylor asked, peering at the screen.
"Very."
Taylor smirked. "Mind if I help?"
"No!" Jamie snapped, though their voice lacked conviction.
Of course, Taylor ignored them. Within seconds, they were pointing at the screen, making suggestions, asking questions, leaning dangerously close whenever Jamie moved their hands. Every brush of Taylor's fingers sent jolts of something Jamie couldn't name straight to their chest.
And then—the universe struck again.
A group of college students sitting nearby whispered, giggling, then one said, "Are you two…together?"
Jamie froze.
Taylor leaned back, smirking. "Define together."
Jamie's cheeks flamed. "We're just friends!"
"Best friends," Taylor corrected softly, with that almost-serious tone that made Jamie's heart hammer. "Forever. Supposedly."
The students laughed and moved on. Jamie exhaled, relief and embarrassment battling in equal measure.
---
For the next hour, they tried to work. Taylor's foot kept brushing Jamie's under the table. They were stealing sips of Jamie's latte, whispering random comments that made Jamie snort or groan, and generally acting like chaos incarnate.
Jamie wanted to push them away, tell them to leave, and simultaneously hug them until the world melted away.
Finally, Taylor leaned back, sighing dramatically. "Fine. I'll behave…for now. But you can't hide from me forever."
Jamie muttered, "I never said I was hiding."
Taylor's grin softened, their gaze holding Jamie's for a beat longer than necessary. "You might as well admit it. You like my company. Always have."
Jamie's stomach did a backflip. "I… don't—"
Taylor's smirk returned, playful as ever. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
---
The coffee shop door opened, and Alex appeared. Jamie's heart skipped.
"Oh, hey Jamie!" Alex waved, smiling like sunshine itself.
Taylor's posture stiffened, jaw working slightly. Jamie's pulse quickened.
Alex looked between them, eyebrows raised. "And…you're…?"
"Taylor," Jamie said cautiously.
Taylor gave a tight-lipped smile. "The guy/gal/person who keeps Jamie in line. You're welcome."
Alex blinked. "Oh. Right."
Jamie felt mortified. Taylor's smug grin didn't help.
Alex laughed, clearly confused but not entirely put off. "Well…good to meet you, Taylor."
Taylor inclined their head politely, but Jamie could see the possessive tension radiating off them.
Once Alex found a table and sat down, Jamie whispered, "Why did you have to show up?"
Taylor leaned closer. "I didn't have to. I wanted to. Also…can't have anyone stealing my prize."
Jamie's pulse did a crazy loop in their chest. "Prize?"
"You," Taylor said, with a wink.
Jamie groaned, hiding their face behind their latte cup.
---
By the time Taylor finally left, Jamie was a mix of frustrated, flustered, and inexplicably happy. They stared at their empty cup, wondering if the caffeine was making their heart race—or if it was just Taylor.
Later, lying in bed, Jamie replayed the entire scene: the almost-serious confessions, the smirks, the possessive energy, the way Taylor made their chest hurt in the best possible way.
And for the first time in a long time, Jamie admitted it—to themselves, at least.
They missed Taylor when they weren't around. They noticed when Taylor smiled, or leaned too close, or stole their latte. And maybe, just maybe, they were starting to hope Taylor didn't ever leave.
Even if Taylor drove them completely insane.