Jacqueline settled into her chair by the bonfire, the crackling flames casting a warm glow over the gathering. The Texas night was cool but comfortable, with the stars scattered across the sky like diamonds. She pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders and glanced at Caleb, who was rifling through a bag with a mischievous grin on his face.

 

"What are you up to?" She asked, her curiosity piqued.

 

"You'll see," he replied, his voice carrying that familiar teasing tone. He finally pulled out a couple of packs of graham crackers, a bag of marshmallows, and—of all things—a package of Reese's peanut butter cups.

 

Jacqueline's eyebrows shot up. "Reese's? You’re not using Hershey bars?"

 

Caleb gave her a lopsided grin that sent a flutter through her heart. "Trust me, it’s a game-changer."

 

She couldn’t help but smile back at him. There was something about Caleb—his easygoing nature, the way he always seemed to know how to make her laugh, even the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. It was becoming harder to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat whenever he was near.

 

He handed her a marshmallow on a stick and leaned in close, his arm brushing hers as he passed it to her. The simple contact sent a shiver down her spine, and she tried to focus on the task at hand—roasting the marshmallow to golden perfection. But Caleb’s presence made it impossible to concentrate.

 

"So, tell me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "how did you come up with this brilliant idea?"

 

He chuckled softly. "It wasn’t my idea, actually. I saw it online once and thought it looked interesting. Figured I’d try it out on someone who appreciates the finer things in life."

 

Jacqueline rolled her eyes playfully. "You mean someone who likes chocolate and peanut butter as much as you do?"

 

"Exactly," he said, his gaze locking with hers, the warmth of the fire reflecting in his eyes. "Plus, I knew you’d appreciate something different. You’ve never been one for the ordinary, Jackie."

 

Her heart fluttered again at the way he said her name—like it was something special. She turned her attention back to the fire, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.

 

When her marshmallow was perfectly toasted, Caleb carefully placed it between two graham crackers, along with one of the peanut butter cups. He handed it to her with a small, satisfied smile.

 

“Try it,” he urged.

 

She took a tentative bite, and the combination of warm marshmallow, melty chocolate, and creamy peanut butter exploded on her taste buds. It was unexpectedly delicious, and she couldn’t help the small moan of pleasure that escaped her lips.

 

"Wow," she said, looking up at him in surprise. "This is amazing."

 

Caleb’s smile widened, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the world around them fading away. The crackling fire, the murmured conversations of the others—they all disappeared as she got lost in the intensity of his gaze.

 

"I’m glad you like it," he said softly, his voice laced with something deeper, something that made her pulse race.

 

She took another bite, trying to ground herself, but the connection between them was undeniable, growing stronger with each passing moment. She had known Caleb for years—he was her brother’s best friend, after all—but something had shifted between them recently. Something she wasn’t sure how to handle.

 

Caleb seemed to sense her hesitation. He leaned back in his chair, breaking the spell, and reached for his own s’more. “I figured if anyone could appreciate a twist on a classic, it’d be you,” he said, his tone lighter now.

 

Jacqueline smiled, grateful for the subtle shift in tone. “Well, you were right,” she replied, taking another bite of her s’more. “This might just be my new favorite.”

 

They continued to talk and laugh; the conversation flowing easily between them. But as the night wore on and the fire died down, Jacqueline couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. The way Caleb looked at her, the way he’d gone out of his way to make her smile—it all felt like more than just friendly

 

 

banter.