Marriage by Arrangement

Chapter 3- Chemistry

Sarah sat at the dining table, nervously picking at her food. Across from her, Jack ate silently, seemingly absorbed in his meal. Ever since their argument earlier that day, an uncomfortable tension had filled the air between them.

However, as they finished eating, something shifted. Jack looked up from his plate and caught Sarah's eye. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence stretching out between them. Then, without warning, Jack grinned - that boyish grin that somehow managed to make Sarah forget every reason she was supposed to be mad at him.

"Alright, truce?" he suggested, holding out a hand towards her. Sarah eyed it suspiciously before finally letting out a resigned sigh and shaking it. "Truce," she agreed begrudgingly.

But as soon as their hands touched, Sarah felt a jolt run through her. It was electric, surprising, and utterly unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. She pulled away quickly, her cheeks flushed, hoping Jack hadn't noticed. But when she glanced at him, she saw that he wore a bemused expression, as if he knew exactly what had happened.

"Come on," he said, getting up from his chair. "Let's go for a walk."

They stepped outside into the crisp evening air. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the lawn. Jack walked slowly, allowing Sarah to catch up. When she did, they fell into step together, their strides matching naturally.

As they walked, Sarah couldn't help but notice how different Jack seemed tonight. Gone was the guarded man who'd picked her up from the airport; instead, he seemed lighter, freer. And despite herself, Sarah found herself responding to this version of Jack.

They talked easily, discussing everything from books to movies to childhood memories. Each topic led to another, creating a web of conversation that drew them closer together. Before Sarah knew it, they were laughing, genuinely enjoying each other's company.

Then, abruptly, Jack stopped walking. Sarah followed suit, looking at him questioningly. Without saying a word, he closed the gap between them, closing his hands around her waist. Sarah gasped slightly as she felt his thumb brush against her hip bone.

Slowly, deliberately, Jack leaned in, closing the remaining distance between them. His lips met hers in a soft, lingering kiss that made Sarah's knees weak. She wrapped her arms around his neck, losing herself in the sensation of his mouth on hers.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily. Sarah looked up at Jack, surprised by the intensity of her reaction. She didn't understand how someone she'd argued with just hours ago could now make her heart race with a single touch.

But as she looked into Jack's eyes, she saw her own confusion mirrored there. Clearly, he was as shocked by their sudden attraction as she was. Yet, even amidst the surprise, there was something else - something deeper, more fundamental.

Chemistry, Sarah realized. That invisible force that draws people together, sometimes against their will. It was alive and humming between them, impossible to ignore or deny.

"Wow," Jack breathed, breaking the silence. "That was..."

"Unexpected?" Sarah supplied, smiling shyly.

"Yeah," Jack agreed. "Definitely unexpected."

But despite its unexpectedness, neither of them moved to break the connection. Instead, they stood there, wrapped up in each other, oblivious to the world around them.

And slowly, surely, the pieces began to fall into place. Two strangers brought together by circumstance, finding solace and companionship in one another. And now, something more - something powerful and all-consuming.

Yes, their journey would continue to be complicated. Yes, challenges would arise, tested would be pushed, and trust would need to be earned. But in that moment, standing under the stars with Jack's arms around her, Sarah knew one thing for certain:

No matter what the future held, she was ready to face it alongside Jack. Because together, they could handle anything. Even love.