“Don’t ask! I’m still looking for my dignity—it’s probably still somewhere on those steps,” Evin quipped, laughing as she took a bite of her pizza.
“At least no one clapped.” Milka giggled. “If I’d been there, you’d definitely have gotten a standing ovation.”
__________
The mini-golf course was tucked away in one of those small parks on the outskirts of town, surrounded by tall trees whose leaves rustled softly in the breeze. Evin had never really cared much for mini-golf, but the idea had been Hannah’s, and now here they were—clubs in hand, locked in a friendly competition with Ben and Dominic.
“Come on, Evin, you’re up!” Hannah called out with a grin, gesturing at the small white ball resting calmly on the artificial green turf.
Evin sighed lightly and stepped forward. “Alright, but just because it’s my turn doesn’t mean I’m any good at this,” she muttered.
Benleaned slightly toward her, his voice low and teasing. “I bet you’ll still manage to beat me.”
The mischievous smile on his face made her heart skip for just a moment, but she focused on the ball, determined. Evin took aim, swung the club—and missed by a hair.
"Damn it!" Evin laughed, dramatically tossing her club over her shoulder. Ben chuckled, while Hannah smirked. "Textbook beginner move."
Dominic, who stood quietly beside Ben, added dryly, “Could be worse. You could have sent it flying into the bushes, like I did.”
When it was Ben’s turn, he picked up the club and exaggerated his focus, preparing for a dramatic shot. With a smooth flick, he sent the ball soaring—right into the water hazard with an unceremonious plop. The group howled with laughter as Ben threw his hands up in defeat.
“Told you you weren’t as talented as I thought,” Evin teased as they moved to the next hole.
Ben handed her the club with a grin. “Alright, no pressure, but if you miss this shot, we’re officially losers.”
He gestured toward Dominic, who was looking increasingly irritated at the idea of losing to the girls.
Evin laughed and glanced up at Ben, his blue eyes sparkling in the soft sunlight. "You do realize you’re cheering for the enemy?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Nah," he shot back without missing a beat. "Just putting my faith in the right person." His tone was warm, almost conspiratorial, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade into the background.
Evin’s hands warmed as she gripped the club. There was something about the way Ben looked at her—familiar yet new.
He wasn’t like Bas.
Bas was ice—sharp, distant, impossible to hold onto. But Ben… Ben was warmth. Steady, effortless, like standing in the sun after too many days in the cold
She took a deep breath and swung. The ball rolled down the course, bounced off the edge, and then—perfectly—dropped into the hole. The grouperupted into cheers as Ben clapped her on the shoulder, amix of pride and surprise in his expression.
“See? I knew it!” Their eyes met again, and for a brief moment, it felt like they were the only two people there.
Evin’s heartbeat quickened as Ben leaned in, so subtly it was almost imperceptible, but she felt it.
"Guess you’re full of surprises," he murmured, voice low enough to send a shiver down her spine.
__________
Evin flopped onto the soft bed, stretching her arms above her head. The muffled sound of running water came from the bathroom, where Milka was getting ready for the night.
“Ugh,” Evin muttered to herself, grabbing her phone and scrolling aimlessly.
Milka’s voice carried over the sound of the faucet. “What’s with the dramatic sighing? Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about Bas.”
Evin groaned. “I’m NOT thinking about Bas.”
A beat of silence. Then—
“…Oh my God, you’re thinking about Ben, aren’t you?”
