It took a few seconds before either of them moved. As if they needed time to adjust to the fact that they were standing there again, ten meters apart, in the town where it had all begun.

He was the first to move, starting to walk toward her. Her heart somersaulted, stirring a storm inside her for a brief moment. It was unbelievable that he could still have this effect on her. No, she needed to pull herself together.

He wasn't walking quickly, nor was he hesitant, but with that same quiet confidence that had always unsettled her. She took a few steps forward. Now they were close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him.

"You..." he said, smiling again.

"Yes," she replied. "And you... this was unexpected..." She had regained some composure, although she could feel her cheeks burning.

They laughed softly and embraced. A jolt of electricity ran through her body, and she could actually sense his heart beating fast and hard. At least it wasn't just her who felt it.

"I never thought..." he began quietly, his mouth close to her ear, but stopped himself.

"Neither did I," she whispered.

The sentence was missing the words that I'd ever see you again. Because that had been the whole point five years earlier. An ending that had been as rational as it was impossible. Perhaps even naïve, considering they came from the same town—a place they both returned to from time to time, even if only rarely.

"Do you have time?" he finally asked. "I need to hear how you've been."

She thought about the plans she was supposed to stick to. About why she was really there. About everything and everyone waiting for her. There was a birthday celebration scheduled for the weekend. The party was tomorrow, and it was her best friend's birthday. There was a lot to prepare.

"Yes," she answered before she had even made up her mind.

No other answer had presented itself as an option.

Damn it. Not again.

Her thoughts were warning her, but something inside refused to listen.

And so they began to walk.

They talked and talked, catching up on years apart. They bought coffee and talked some more. The charge they had already felt on the platform only grew stronger as the hours passed. Whenever their hands accidentally brushed against each other, she was acutely aware of the fleeting touch.

Eventually they stopped. It had become far too late, and she had to leave.

"Thank you for tonight," she said softly.

"Thank you," he replied, then added, "Do you still have the same number?"

She shook her head.

"No. And it's better that way."

She knew it all too well. They shouldn't take this any further.

It would burn them again.

"I'm going now..." she whispered.

"Mm... okay," he murmured, his voice carrying both respect and disappointment.

She started to pull away from him, but it felt as though her entire body resisted. Her mind was saying one thing; her heart and body another.

Before she walked away, she stopped.

She looked into his eyes and then pressed her lips gently against his.

The kiss felt like magic. They leaned into each other, their bodies drawn together as if by instinct. A soft gasp escaped him, and desire swept through her so suddenly it left her dizzy.

After a few seconds, she broke the kiss.

Then she turned and walked away.

Without looking back.

Her eyes filled with tears, her heart pounded relentlessly, and every part of her knew she was not ready for a night without him.