Denisse had had enough.
She lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch again, even though she already knew what it would say. Eleven a.m. The numbers felt heavier than they should have, pressing into her chest with quiet finality. An hour of waiting. An hour of hope thinning into embarrassment.
She exhaled slowly, the café patio suddenly too bright, too open. People moved past the gate, laughing, living their lives, completely unaware that she had been sitting there, believing in something that apparently wasn't worth showing up for.
So this is it, she thought.
She stood, smoothing the front of her pastel pink dress out of habit, as if dignity could be pressed back into place. Under her breath, barely louder than the rustle of leaves overhead, she murmured, "I knew it. This was ridiculous. I shouldn't have waited... or even showed up in the first place."
The words tasted bitter, but saying them steadied her.
She reached for her bag on the empty chair beside her, fingers curling around the strap. The chair scraped softly against the stone as she shifted it aside. She took one step forward, ready to leave the disappointment behind—
"Denisse?"
The sound of her name stopped her cold.
Her heart skipped, then stumbled, as if it had forgotten how to beat properly.
She turned.
And froze.
Standing a few feet away was the woman.
The same woman she had noticed earlier—the one on the motorbike, whose presence had lingered in Denisse's mind far longer than it should have. Devastatingly beautiful. Impossibly so. Even closer now, more real, more overwhelming.
Why does she know my name?
The question echoed sharply in her head. Her thoughts scrambled, colliding into each other.
Wait.
No.
Does this mean—
The woman lifted her hand and gave a small wave, her gaze soft but probing, concern threading through it. Denisse felt it like a physical nudge, drawing her attention completely.
"Hey... are you okay?" the woman asked gently, voice warm.
"O-oh—yes," Denisse replied too quickly, her words tripping over themselves. Her throat felt tight, her stomach twisting in a mix of panic and something else she didn't want to name. "I'm good. Never been better."
She swallowed hard, blinking as if that would steady her. Then she frowned, confusion breaking through the awe. "Wait... why do you know me? Have we met before?"
The woman let out a breathy laugh, relief written all over her face. "Oh God, I thought I missed you. Thank God you waited for me. I'm Nicole."
The words landed like a quiet explosion.
Nicole.
The name rang through Denisse, followed by a rush of emotions she couldn't immediately untangle. Surprise. Relief. Disbelief. A strange, fluttering warmth that spread from her chest outward.
So this is her.
She forced herself to straighten, schooling her expression even as her pulse raced.
Don't panic, Denisse.
Act normal.
Don't scare her away.
But it was hard to maintain control when Nicole smiled like that. A full smile, bright and effortless, showing a perfect line of white teeth. The kind of smile that felt personal, even when it wasn't meant to be. The kind that lingered.
"Oh," Denisse said, folding her arms loosely, a hint of irritation slipping into her tone despite herself. "That's a great way to make an impression."
Too much.
That was way over normal.
"I'm really sorry," Nicole said immediately, sincerity softening her features. "I did everything I could to make it on time, but I didn't."
Denisse met her eyes, and whatever response she had prepared dissolved.
How can I even be mad at you when you look at me like that?
She cleared her throat. "Okay. It's fine. Good thing you still showed up."
Nicole's smile widened, and she stepped closer, extending her hand. "I think it's only right to properly introduce myself. I'm Nicole. The one you matched with on the blind date app."
Denisse smiled back, warmth spreading despite her best efforts. "Denisse."
Their hands met.
The touch was brief, polite, but it sent a quiet jolt through her, warmth sparking up her arm. Nicole's hand was soft, steady, grounding.
"So," Nicole said, tilting her head slightly, eyes bright. "Shall we go?"
"Go where?" Denisse asked, genuinely curious now.
"Somewhere we can eat. Or wherever you want," Nicole replied easily. "You already had your coffee, so I think we can skip that part."
"Right," Denisse said, nodding.
They walked together toward the motorbike, Denisse's steps slowing as realization settled in.
"Here," Nicole said, lifting her helmet. "Wear mine. I forgot my spare when I rushed out of my place trying to make it on time."
Denisse stared at the bike, nerves bubbling up fast. "What? We're using your motorbike? You're kidding, right?"
A nervous laugh escaped her. She had never ridden one before. Not once. And this one looked fast—too fast. And of course, she was wearing a dress.
"I can just take a taxi and meet you wherever we're going," Denisse offered easily.
"No," Nicole said. "I insist." Then she hesitated, her eyes glinting with mischief. "And we need to make up for the time I wasted being late, right?"
Nicole winked.
That was it. Completely unfair.
Denisse felt herself melt, heat rising to her cheeks.
How could she say no to a woman this beautiful, clearly enjoying flirting with her, when she was enjoying it too?
"Fine," Denisse said finally. "Just drive carefully, okay? This is my first time on a motorbike. Make sure it won't be my last."
"Of course," Nicole said softly. "You're safe with me."
She helped Denisse fasten the helmet, fingers brushing her jaw, lingering just long enough to make Denisse acutely aware of the closeness. Their eyes met, and Nicole smiled again. Denisse felt the heat bloom in her cheeks, undeniable now.
Nicole mounted the bike, then reached out her hand. Denisse took it, letting herself be guided onto the seat behind her.
The engine roared to life beneath them, vibrating through Denisse's body.
"Hold on tight," Nicole said over her shoulder. "I don't want you to fall."
Denisse wrapped her arms around Nicole's waist, instinctively pulling closer. Their bodies aligned, close enough that Denisse caught the scent of Nicole's perfume. Something expensive and Intoxicating.
How can she be beautiful, hot, and smell this good all at once?
The bike surged forward, the city blurring around them as they set off toward whatever came next, Denisse's heart pounding with excitement, nerves, and a growing sense that this date was only just beginning.
But not long after, Denisse realized the day wasn't done throwing curveballs.
She had promised herself that Nicole being late would be the first—and last—inconvenience. One small crack in an otherwise promising morning. Surely, the Universe wouldn't take more from them...
Apparently, the Universe hadn't agreed.
They rode through the bustling city, the streets humming around them, when the air shifted. The breeze turned cool against Denisse's bare arms, heavy with the scent of wet pavement. Then, without warning, rain burst from the sky—thick drops hammering the road and the helmet, turning the world into a blur of gray streaks.
"Oh God!" Denisse exclaimed, her voice muffled inside the helmet as water immediately soaked through her dress.
She tightened her hold around Nicole's waist, instinctively leaning closer. "Find a shed we can stay in for the meantime!"
"Yes, sorry!" Nicole called back, already slowing, scanning the road ahead.
Within moments, Nicole steered them toward a waiting shed by the roadside. The bike rolled to a stop beneath its narrow cover, rain drumming loudly against the metal roof. Nicole cut the engine and stepped off, water clinging to her jacket and hair.
"Hey, sorry," Nicole said, pushing wet strands away from her face. "I didn't know it would rain. I should've let you ride a taxi."
"No, it's fine," Denisse replied, her tone drier than she intended.
She stood under the shed, damp and slightly shivering, disappointment pressing at the edges of her excitement. This wasn't how she'd imagined the start of the day. Still, she told herself not to dwell on it. Coincidence. Nothing more. The universe couldn't possibly be that cruel.
She lifted her gaze just as Nicole shrugged off her jacket.
For a moment, Denisse forgot the rain entirely.
Nicole wore a sleeveless blouse underneath, the fabric clinging slightly from the damp. The sight caught Denisse off guard, heat blooming in her chest despite the chill. Nicole noticed her stare and smiled faintly, then held the jacket out toward her.
"Here," she said. "You'll catch a cold."
Denisse hesitated. "You don't have to—"
But Nicole was already draping it over her shoulders. The jacket was warm from Nicole's body, heavier than Denisse expected. She wrapped it around herself, and immediately, that familiar scent reached her. Expensive. Clean. Comforting. It settled around her like an unspoken reassurance.
"So," Nicole said lightly, as if the rain hadn't disrupted anything at all. "Where do you want to go?"
Denisse considered it, listening to the rain soften as it fell. The sound steadied her thoughts.
"Can we go to Maple Bleu?" she said finally. "I'm craving their steak."
Nicole's expression brightened. "Yeah, sure. We'll just let this rain stop."
They stood there together under the narrow shelter, sharing quiet glances and borrowed warmth as the rain slowly eased into a drizzle. When it finally stopped, the world looked freshly washed, streets gleaming, the air cool and clean.
Denisse handed the jacket back, and Nicole helped her settle onto the bike once more, and soon they were moving again, the road opening up ahead of them as they made their way toward the restaurant, the promise of the day still alive despite the storm.