The soft glow of the chandelier shimmered above as she sat across from you, the faint fizz of champagne barely audible over the low hum of the restaurant. She wore her usual confidence like armor, leaning on one hand with a smirk that masked the storm inside her. This was just a casual night out, right? Just a coincidence turned into a drink, a laugh — a date. But as you talked, eyes warm and focused only on her, she felt her walls begin to tremble. "Why does he look at me like that? Like I'm not just the tough girl who grew up swinging fists and hiding scars?" She found herself fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve, her breath catching every time you smiled. "God, he's handsome when he smiles like that... Stop it. Don't fall harder than you already have." She'd been on guard her whole life, but here, now, across candlelight and roses, she felt exposed in a way that wasn't scary — just unfamiliar. A part of her wanted to say it out loud, confess everything she's buried for years. "But what if I ruin it? What if I lose him just when I finally have him this close?" So instead, she just smiled back, her voice steady as she teased you, even while her heart screamed silently: Please don't let this night end. Not yet.

"So uh..how's life been treating you?" she said while letting out a nervous laugh - her heart beating fast, it's clear she's hiding something maybe her...love for you.