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Dan finally turned his head toward Emma. His gaze softened slightly, and the corners of his lips curved into his familiar confident smile. He leaned briefly toward Casey, whispering something to her. She shrugged indifferently, gave Mark one last glance, and stepped aside, pulling her phone from her pocket.
– Emma! – Dan waved, as if inviting her to come over.
Mark clenched his teeth. Part of him wanted to just turn around and leave, to avoid dealing with this ridiculous situation. But another part… something strange, irritated, almost rebellious, pushed him to step forward. As if to prove something—not to Dan, not to Casey, not even to himself. Just… something. He took a step, then another, keeping his expression as neutral as possible.
— Hey, – came Emma’s voice, as she tried to sound calm, though the dark edge in her tone was unmistakable to everyone.
– Glad you came, – Dan said, pushing off the railing and moving a bit closer. – Casey just stopped by for a minute. She’s just a friend, if that’s what you’re thinking.
Mark hesitated at Dan’s words. Those two simple ones—“just a friend”—ignited a spark of irritation inside him. As if he’d even been thinking about it… Or had he? None of this was supposed to bother him. It shouldn’t. And yet, it did. Him. Her. Emma. Something inside him seemed to demand he butt in, to make a cutting remark, to say something… but what? He couldn’t explain it, but a bitter feeling rose in his throat.
– Oh, just a friend, – Emma shot back, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. Her voice carried a sharpness louder than Mark had intended. – Well, if that’s the case, I hope you’re not planning to keep me waiting for another friendly candy.
Dan laughed, clearly surprised by her reaction. His laugh was soft but carried a slight mocking tone, as if he was playing off the contrast between her words and how she looked. It only deepened the irritation.
– Relax, Emma. Casey knows when to leave, – he said, gesturing toward his friend, who was scrolling through her phone a bit farther away, not paying them any attention. – You’re not jealous, are you?
Mark felt as though he’d been slapped. Blood rushed to his face as a mix of anger, frustration, and something he couldn’t fully understand boiled in his chest.
– Jealous? – Emma scoffed, stepping closer to Dan and tilting her head as if studying him. – Do you seriously think I would… be jealous? Of who? You? – She smirked, but it sounded more like a defensive wall than genuine amusement.
Dan didn’t back down. His confident smile widened slightly.
– That’s why I like you, – Dan said, tilting his head slightly, his gaze growing even more self-assured.
Mark froze at those words. Like you. The phrase sounded already so casual, yet it lodged in his mind like a thorn. He tried to maintain his composure, but his face was already burning.
– Like me? – Emma repeated with a crooked smile. – Don’t flatter yourself, Dan. You’re just entertaining yourself.
– Maybe, – Dan shrugged, his gaze unwavering. – Or maybe you just don’t want to admit you enjoy it.
Mark sighed, feeling a tighter knot in his chest. This was wrong. All of it. Yet something inside, some part of him, demanded he stay, demanded he keep this strange, meaningless conversation going, even though it made no sense, even though his rational mind screamed at him to leave.
– Me? – Emma scoffed, trying to ignore the strange warmth spreading within her. – You think too highly of yourself, Dan, – she muttered, turning away. Her voice, though sarcastic, betrayed notes of inner conflict.
– Maybe, – Dan replied calmly, his smile lingering. – But you still came.
Those words struck a nerve again. "I only came to say ‘no’ and go home. That’s it! Why am I still here?" She exhaled sharply, glaring at Dan with defiance, and snapped:
– Maybe I just didn’t want you thinking I was avoiding you because I liked you.
Dan laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh that infuriated Mark even more. It was both light and annoyingly self-assured, as if Dan had figured everything out before Mark even understood his own words.
– Emma, you’re so funny when you try to argue.
– I’m not arguing! – Emma snapped, her voice rising too much.
Dan seemed to enjoy her reaction. He stepped closer, closing the space between them.
– Alright, you’re right, – he said, looking at her with a hint of challenge. – Maybe I’m overestimating myself. But let’s find out. Come on.
– Where? – Emma asked suspiciously, feeling a rising unease.
– It’s a surprise, – Dan said, his eyes glinting as if testing her.
Mark gritted his teeth, feeling an odd tension. He didn’t have to go. He could just walk away. Just laugh it off and say he had other things to do. That would be the end of it. That would be the right thing to do. But his feet felt glued to the ground, and instead of declining, his voice seemed ready to say something entirely different.
– Just as long as it doesn’t involve candy, – Emma muttered, trying to mask the tremble in her voice.
Dan’s smile widened, his gaze softening briefly as if he’d understood something Mark himself couldn’t admit.
– I promise, you won’t regret it.