The air in the porch hangs thick with the scent of jasmine, the screen door creaking softly in the evening breeze. You’re sitting on the swing, legs curled under you, and he’s standing close enough that you can feel the heat of him, but not close enough to brush against. His hand moves slowly, so slowly you almost don’t notice it at first—a lazy drift from your shoulder to your elbow, his fingertips never quite making contact, just a breath of air that raises goose bumps on your skin.
At first, you think it’s a game. The kind men play when they’re feeling bold, a way to make you squirm. But then you see his jaw, tight as a fist, and the way his eyes flicker from your collarbone to your face, like he’s reading a map with no key. This isn’t teasing. Teasing has a smirk to it, a confidence. This is tentative, almost nervous, like he’s checking the water before diving in.
You shift a little, letting your foot swing down to the floor, and his hand pauses, mid-air, as if you’ve spoken without words. “Warm out tonight,” you say, your voice louder than necessary, and he nods, his fingers dropping to his side for a second before starting up again—this time trailing along your thigh, just above the hem of your dress.
That’s when it clicks. He’s not trying to get a rise out of you. He’s testing the waters, seeing how you’ll react. Will you pull back? Will you lean in? Will you call him out on it, or let him keep going? It’s a dance older than either of you, this back-and-forth of signals, but there’s something raw about it now—no smooth lines, no practiced moves. Just a man who’s spent too many years playing it safe, too many years watching from the sidelines, finally working up the courage to reach out.
You let your hand fall to your lap, fingers brushing against his wrist as he passes, and his breath catches. That’s the reaction he’s been looking for—the green light, the quiet permission. His fingers finally make contact then, just a light brush against your cheek, and this time, there’s no hesitation. He’s done testing. Now he’s ready to know.