They stood face to face, the air between them electric. He could see her breath, small puffs in the cool room. She could feel his warmth against her cheek. Neither moved to close the final inch, yet their hearts raced as if they would.
Her hand hovered near his chest, fingers trembling. His gaze stayed on her lips, nearly trembling as well. Outside, a faint hum of traffic drifted in through the cracked window. It felt like the world held its breath, waiting.
He leaned in slowly, just enough for her to feel his warmth. She lifted her chin, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The difference between them was slight, a tilt of his head, a soft curve of her lips, but it felt like a vast space, a thin line they both longed to cross.
She opened her eyes, and their gazes locked. Neither made the move to finally kiss. Instead, they stayed frozen in that moment, feeling the heat of each other’s breath but choosing to wait, suspended in sweet tension, so close yet not quite together.