I was in Thailand, soaking up the food, the culture, and the atmosphere, when my phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize. I almost ignored it, but curiosity won. To my surprise, it was my long-lost crush. Years had passed, he had moved away, gotten married, even had kids but that was all behind him now. And instead of calling for romance, he called with a favor.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Why me?” His answer made my heart skip: “Because I remember you being the smartest person I know and I couldn’t think of anyone better.” That one line pulled me right back in. What started as me helping him quickly turned into late-night talks, trading little secrets, and reminiscing about the kind of memories that stir up old feelings.

We laughed about the time we “Netflix and chilled” but were too shy to admit what we really wanted. I remembered falling asleep while secretly craving his touch, his kiss, his arms around me but he never made a move. This time, though, our conversations were bolder. The tension between us started to sizzle, and even our dreams about each other turned intimate.

When we finally met again, the energy was undeniable. He opened the car door for me, took care of every detail of the date, and kissed me softly on the forehead. It felt like stepping into a scene I’d been waiting on for years. I looked at him and whispered, “I have never met anyone like you before.”

That smile of his the one that weakens my knees spread across his face. He leaned in and said, “You should be grateful for that.” And honestly? I am. Because this time, it feels like we’re finally ready to act on everything we once held back.