As the room service server, brought in Abigail's dinner and the wine Jamal had requested, Abigail typed a text on the phone.
[Do you think any guy would want to be with a mute like me?]
Jamal's brows pulled together as he read the text and he took the phone from her and erased the text.
[Do you think every mute lady in the world is single or they're married to only mute men?]
Abigail's lips twitched as she read his text, [Well, I don't know. I guess I feel this way because my stepsister always tells me how no guy would ever want me. Earlier today I saw her in bed with my boyfriend.]
"She sounds like a bitch, no offense," Jamal said, wrinkling his nose with disgust and Abigail laughed. She was almost tempted to tell him about the sex tape scandal, but she was too ashamed of Genevieve to tell anyone that they were sisters.
[Sometimes I like to think of her as a pug. She's a literal bitch. She seizes every opportunity to show me I'm insignificant and beneath her.]
"If you ask me, I think she's jealous of you. If you were truly as insignificant and beneath her as she claims, she wouldn't go through so much trouble to prove it to you. She probably likes to frustrate you because she feels inferior next to you. Your being unable to speak is not the problem. Her insecurity is the problem and it's worse for her because even without your voice you're better than her," Jamal said, his speech slightly slurred as the alcohol gradually settled in his system.
[You really think I intimidate her?]
Jamal glanced at the phone and nodded. "Without a doubt. Why waste her precious time picking on you if she isn't intimidated?"
Abigail tilted her head as she absorbed Jamal's words. She felt a warmth bloom in her chest, something she couldn't quite name, as she studied his face. His jaw was slightly clenched as he leaned back in his chair, his brown eyes a little glassy from the wine. The way he defended her— someone he barely knew— felt oddly comforting.
She took a sip of her drink, feeling the heat of the alcohol seep into her body. The tension in her muscles began to ease, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. She tapped on his phone again and passed it to him.
She picked up the phone again.
[Are you planning to get drunk and sleep off on me?]
Jamal chuckled, his voice deep and warm. "Nah."
He took a long sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving hers. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table between them, and his voice dropped to a low murmur. "You know, for some reason, I'm glad I met you tonight."
Abigail's breath caught. She didn't know how to respond to that, so she did what she could— she smiled shyly and looked down at her glass.
"Hey," Jamal said, his voice soft but insistent. "I mean it. Don't look away."
Her hazel eyes met his again, and the intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. She felt vulnerable under his scrutiny, but she didn't want to look away.
Jamal reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. "You are beautiful inside out. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."
The simple touch of his hand on hers sent sparks coursing through her body. She didn't pull away, and neither did he. Instead, their fingers intertwined, and for a moment, they forgot they were strangers.
Abigail tapped the screen with one hand, their fingers still tangled together.
[Thank you.]
"You're welcome," Jamal said, his voice low and almost a whisper.
The room felt warmer, the air thicker, as their silent connection grew louder than any words. Without letting go of her hand, Jamal stood and walked around the table. Abigail rose and tilted her head as he stopped before her.
He reached out his other hand and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'm sorry for what you went through today," he murmured.
Abigail placed her other hand over his, holding it against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.
Jamal's thumb traced small circles on her skin, and he leaned down, his face inches from hers. "Can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
This was going to be his first kiss.
She opened her eyes and nodded, her heart pounding against her ribs.
This was going to be her first kiss.
Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, but the hesitation quickly melted away. Jamal's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened, both tasting the wine on their lips.
Abigail's fingers curled into his shirt, holding on to him as the room seemed to spin.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily. Jamal rested his forehead against hers, his eyes searching hers. "Abigail," he whispered, "I have a confession."
"I've never… done this before. It's my first time."
Her eyes widened, and she laughed silently. Her shoulders shook as she quickly grabbed the phone, and her hands shook as she typed.
[You're a virgin?]
Jamal laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I… I didn't think I'd be telling you that, but yeah."
Abigail stared at him for a moment, her thoughts racing before she typed. [Me too.]
Jamal froze, his eyes wide. "Wait, really?"
She nodded, her face flushing.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Jamal chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Well, I guess we're both learning tonight."
Abigail laughed silently, her shoulders shaking again, and Jamal cupped her face in his hands, his eyes full of something between excitement and nervousness.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
She nodded, her hands resting on his chest.
He kissed her again, slower this time as if savoring the moment. His hands slid down her sides, pulling her closer as the kiss grew hungrier. Abigail's hands tangled in his hair, and her body pressed against his as her heart pounded in her chest.
Everything else disappeared, leaving only the two of them. They moved together, unsteady but eager, their hands exploring, their breaths mingling.
As they found their way to the bed, Jamal paused, his gaze meeting hers. "We'll figure this out together," he said softly, and Abigail nodded, her trust in him unwavering.
And in that moment, with nervous hands and racing hearts, they clung to each other as if the world outside didn't exist.
They were strangers, yet they both felt a connection raw and desperate like nothing either of them had felt before— something that made the night unforgettable.