When Debbie returned to the hotel, Felix was waiting for her in the dining area, wearing an apron and a cheeky grin.
"Finally," he teased. "I was starting to think you'd ditched me for some mysterious old flame."
Debbie froze, her guilty expression betraying her.
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Did you actually—"
"It's not what you think!" Debbie cut in quickly.
"Oh, so you didn't meet up with your charming ex-
boyfriend who ghosted you for years?" Felix asked, his tone dripping with mock innocence. Debbie groaned, sinking into a chair. "I didn't plan it,
okay? He messaged me, and I… I guess I wanted closure."
Felix sat across from her, his playful demeanor softening.
"Did you get it?"
"Not really," Debbie admitted. "He said he still loves me."
Felix blinked, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Wow. That's bold of him, considering what he put you through."
Debbie looked up at him, searching his face for jealousy or anger, but all she found was concern.
"You're not mad?" she asked hesitantly.
"Why would I be mad?" Felix replied. "You're here with me, not him."
His confidence made her heart flutter, and before she could stop herself, she reached across the table, taking his hand in hers.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?"
"For being… you."
Felix smirked, squeezing her hand. "Well, don't get too comfortable. I still expect you to clean up after dinner. "
Debbie laughed, the tension in her chest easing. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she could breathe again.