Chapter 71: A Morning She Wanted to Remember

Jason nodded with quiet satisfaction.

"Not bad. At least you’re honest."

There was a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned closer.

"Since you’re being so honest with me, maybe I’ll have to give you another little reward after breakfast."

Sabrina’s eyes widened.

"Jason!"

Before she could protest, he slipped an arm around her and carefully helped her back to her chair.

Her legs were still trembling from the morning’s workout, and she had no chance of walking normally just yet. Jason noticed immediately and, for once, dropped the teasing expression.

He made sure she was sitting comfortably before stepping back.

Sabrina rolled her eyes at him.

"You really are impossible."

She tried to sound annoyed, but the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth gave her away.

"Stinky little brother," she muttered. "You see that I can barely stand, and you still keep teasing me. You’re such a troublemaker."

Jason laughed.

But beneath her complaints, Sabrina felt something she hadn’t expected.

She felt safe.

There was no pressure in the way he looked at her. No judgment. No sense that she had to prove herself or pretend to be someone else.

After everything she had experienced in her previous relationship, that simple feeling meant more to her than she wanted to admit.

She had spent years being careful.

Years putting her daughter’s needs first, keeping her emotions locked away, and convincing herself that wanting happiness was selfish.

But sitting there with Jason, listening to him laugh, she felt strangely at ease.

Almost peaceful.

Jason caught the softness in her expression and smiled.

"Keep pretending if you want," he teased. "You know you like having me around."

Sabrina immediately shot him an annoyed look.

"I never said I didn’t."

She paused, then sighed.

"I do like having you around. I just don’t have the energy to deal with you right now."

Jason raised an eyebrow.

"Then I’ll be gentle."

"You’d better."

She pointed toward the table.

"Now sit down and eat before your breakfast gets cold."

"Yes, ma’am."

Jason laughed and returned to his seat.

Sabrina settled across from him, resting her chin lightly in one hand as she watched him.

The apartment was quiet now.

Morning sunlight poured through the windows, spilling across the small dining table and turning the edges of the plates golden. The smell of freshly toasted bread and coffee still lingered in the air.

She had prepared everything herself.

And suddenly, she realized she was nervous.

It was ridiculous.

She had cooked breakfast countless times before.

Yet watching Jason pick up the sandwich she had made somehow felt like waiting for a verdict.

"Well?" she asked.

Jason took a bite.

He chewed slowly.

Sabrina watched him closely.

Finally, Jason nodded.

"Wow."

Her eyes brightened.

"It’s really good."

A genuine smile spread across her face.

"Really?"

"Really."

Jason took another bite.

"Sabrina, you’re actually incredible. You can cook too?"

She laughed softly.

"If you keep praising me like that, I’ll start believing you."

"You should."

The simple answer made her smile again.

"If you like it, eat more," she said. "I’ll make it for you again sometime."

She tried to make the offer sound casual.

Inside, however, she was already imagining it.

Maybe this could become a routine.

Maybe there could be mornings like this again.

She could make breakfast while he sat at the table, half-awake and complaining about being hungry. They could argue over coffee, tease each other, and talk about completely ordinary things.

The thought made her heart ache in a strangely pleasant way.

Jason looked up.

"Then I’ll have to visit you more often."

Sabrina narrowed her eyes playfully.

"That’s more like it."

She gave him a mock warning.

"But don’t you dare forget about me. If you disappear for too long, I’ll come looking for you."

"I wouldn’t dare."

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then Sabrina smiled and lowered her gaze.

They continued eating, talking about small things that didn’t really matter.

The conversation wandered from breakfast to the gym, from the gym to Jason’s plans for the day, and then to random stories that had nothing to do with either of them.

It was comfortable.

Natural.

Neither of them wanted the morning to end.

Eventually, the plates were empty.

Sabrina leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

Outside, the city had fully awakened.

Cars moved along the street. Voices drifted faintly through the open window. Somewhere nearby, someone was playing music loud enough for the bass to vibrate through the glass.

Inside the apartment, though, everything still felt warm and peaceful.

Jason looked toward Sabrina.

She was wearing a simple white shirt, her hair slightly messy from the morning, a few loose strands framing her face.

There was something different about her like this.

Less like the confident fitness coach who could command an entire room.

More like the woman underneath all of that.

Jason couldn’t help smiling.

"Sabrina."

"Hm?"

"You know you look really good in that shirt, right?"

She froze.

Then her cheeks slowly turned pink.

"You really don’t know when to stop, do you?"

Jason grinned.

"What? I’m just telling the truth."

She lightly smacked his arm.

"No more compliments."

"Why?"

"Because you’ll get carried away."

Jason laughed.

Sabrina tried to maintain her serious expression, but the smile eventually broke through.

She secretly enjoyed hearing those words.

Especially from him.

Being desired was one thing.

Being genuinely appreciated was another.

She caught him looking at her again.

Her heart gave a small, involuntary flutter.

She quickly looked away.

"Don’t get any ideas," she warned.

Jason stood.

"I haven’t done anything."

"Your face says otherwise."

He laughed.

Sabrina shook her head.

"You’re unbelievable."

Jason walked over and gently placed a hand around her waist.

"Sabrina..."

She looked up at him.

There was a teasing spark in his eyes, but beneath it was something warmer.

Something that made her heart beat faster.

She pressed her lips together and gave him an exasperated look.

"You really have too much energy."

Jason smiled.

"And you’re the one who taught me to train harder."

"That doesn’t mean you have to turn everything into a competition."

He chuckled.

Sabrina sighed and leaned lightly against him.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then she whispered,

"I really can’t keep up with you today."

Jason’s expression softened.

"Then we won’t rush anything."

That answer surprised her.

She looked at him.

He wasn’t teasing anymore.

He simply meant it.

Sabrina’s shoulders relaxed.

"Good."

She rested her forehead briefly against his chest.

"Because I need a break."

Jason gently rubbed her back.

"Then take one."

For a while, they simply stood there.

No jokes.

No flirting.

Just the quiet comfort of being close.

Eventually, Sabrina pulled away and walked toward the kitchen.

"I need some water."

She opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle, and drank deeply.

The cold water eased the dryness in her throat.

When she lowered the bottle, she noticed Jason standing behind her.

She stared at him for a second.

Then she laughed under her breath.

"You’re still here?"

"Of course."

He smiled.

"I was thinking about our training session."

Sabrina immediately pointed at him.

"No."

Jason blinked.

"I didn’t even say anything."

"I know that look."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You’re thinking about making me work again."

Jason laughed.

"Maybe a little."

Sabrina shook her head.

"Not today. You’re on your own."

"Fine."

He raised both hands in surrender.

"I’ll practice by myself."

She studied him for a moment before walking over and leaning against him.

"Good."

Her voice softened.

"Because I’m exhausted."

Jason wrapped an arm around her.

Sabrina closed her eyes.

For once, she didn’t feel the need to pretend she had everything under control.

She simply let herself enjoy the warmth.

The quiet.

Him.

After everything she’d been through, perhaps this was what she had been missing all along.

Not some perfect life.

Not some grand promise.

Just someone who made her feel safe enough to smile again.

And for the first time in a long while, Sabrina didn’t want to think about what might happen tomorrow.

She only wanted to enjoy today.