The intimacy of the moment suddenly felt overwhelming. Juniper let out a nervous laugh, gesturing wildly at her easel in the corner where her latest attempt at art sat half-finished. “Well, that painting definitely needs words - preferably ‘do not look’ and ‘sorry for attempting this.’” Her nervous laugh couldn’t quite land, the slight tremor in her voice making the joke feel real, human.

“Oh, I like it,” he said softly, his eyes moving from the canvas back to her face with that slight tilt she’d stopped pretending not to notice. “You know, you always try to make comparisons…” His dimple appeared as he smiled. “Steals all the fun from things.” He paused, something shifting in his expression as he held her gaze, his usual confidence giving way to somethingelse… “A picture painted as beautiful as you,” he murmured, His gaze drifted toward the easel, then the window, before returning to her face… checking if he’d said too much. The words landed. Her heart stuttered, remembering every moment she’d caught him watching her when he thought she wasn’t looking - the way his eyes would follow her movements across the courtroom, how his attention would linger just a second too long.

The silence stretched between them, electric, until she couldn’t help but fill it with the truth she’d been holding back. Her lips curved into a small smile as she gathered her courage. “You know what’s funny?” Her voice came out slightly breathless as she met his gaze, watching how his eyes darkened at her tone. “I started to wonder if you might actually like me when…” She let out a soft laugh, ducking her head briefly before looking back up at him through her lashes. “When you’d somehow materialize out of nowhere every time the courthouse floor was wet from outside.” Her smile widened at the memory, how his hand would find her elbow without fail, steadying her before she even realized she needed it. The way he’d stayed close even after she’d found her footing, his touch lingering longer than strictly necessary.