Chapter 108

Five months into being “official,” most couples would’ve settled into routines—lazy mornings, shared playlists, arguing over what to eat.

Not Jennie and Lisa.

Because Lisa still courted Jennie like it was day one.

And Jennie? Jennie acted like she wasn’t absolutely, hopelessly in love with it.

—

It started on a random Tuesday.

Jennie was halfway through her work emails when she heard a soft knock at her apartment door. She frowned—Lisa had a key.

She opened it anyway.

Lisa was standing there in a neatly pressed shirt, hair slightly damp like she had just fixed it five minutes ago, holding a small bouquet of flowers… and a paper bag.

Jennie blinked. “You… got lost?”

Lisa shook her head seriously. “No. I am here to court you.”

Jennie froze. “We are dating.”

Lisa nodded. “Yes. Five months, three days, and approximately… fourteen hours.” She checked her phone. “But courting continues.”

Jennie leaned on the doorframe, trying not to smile too hard. “And the flowers?”

“For you,” Lisa said simply, handing them over like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Because I wanted to.”

Jennie took them, fingers brushing Lisa’s. “And the bag?”

Lisa lifted it slightly. “I made you lunch. You forgot breakfast.”

Jennie’s heart did that annoying thing again—the one it always did around Lisa, even after months of being together.

“You’re ridiculous,” Jennie murmured, stepping aside so Lisa could come in.

Lisa nodded immediately. “Yes.”

That was it. No defense. No argument. Just acceptance.

Jennie laughed under her breath. “You’re not even going to deny it?”

Lisa had already started setting the food on the table. “It is efficient to admit truths quickly.”

Jennie stared at her for a second, then shook her head. “You are impossible.”

Lisa looked up. “But you are smiling.”

Jennie paused.

She was.

—

It didn’t stop there.

The next day, Lisa “courted” her with a carefully folded note left in Jennie’s bag:

> “Today, I will still choose you. Even if I already have you.”

Jennie read it in the middle of a meeting and nearly forgot how to function.

—

On Thursday, Lisa showed up at Jennie’s workplace.

Not loudly. Not dramatically.

Just quietly appearing in the lobby with two coffees and Jennie’s favorite snack.

When Jennie came down, confused and slightly alarmed, Lisa simply said, “You looked tired yesterday. I am correcting it.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes. “You came all the way here just for that?”

Lisa nodded. “Yes. Courting requires effort.”

Jennie sighed—but she took the coffee anyway. “We’re dating, Lisa.”

“I know,” Lisa said again, like she always did. Then added, softer, “But I still want to earn you.”

That line hit differently.

Jennie went quiet for a second, then nudged Lisa’s shoulder lightly. “You already did.”

Lisa looked at her like she didn’t fully believe it.

So Jennie grabbed her hand.

“Come on,” she said. “Walk me back. You’re distracting my coworkers.”

Lisa’s eyes flicked around the lobby. “I am successful?”

Jennie snorted. “Unfortunately, yes.”

—

By the weekend, Lisa had escalated.

Jennie woke up to find Lisa sitting on the edge of the bed, already awake, holding a small handwritten list.

Jennie groaned softly. “What now?”

Lisa looked at her seriously. “Today’s courting plan.”

Jennie sat up slowly. “You have a plan.”

“Yes.”

“Why.”

Lisa blinked. “Because I am dating you.”

Jennie rubbed her face. “That doesn’t explain anything.”

Lisa held up the paper.

It had three items:

1. Make breakfast

2. Walk together

3. Remind Jennie she is loved (optional but recommended)

Jennie stared at it.

Then at Lisa.

Then back at the list.

“…You wrote ‘optional but recommended’ like it’s a side quest,” Jennie said.

Lisa nodded. “It is important but flexible.”

Jennie laughed so hard she fell back onto the bed.

Lisa waited patiently.

When Jennie finally calmed down, she looked up at her.

“You know,” Jennie said, softer now, “we’re already together. You don’t have to keep… trying so hard.”

Lisa tilted her head. “I am not trying to get you.”

Jennie blinked.

Lisa continued, gently matter-of-fact. “I already have you. I am trying to never make you feel like I stopped choosing you.”

Silence settled for a moment.

Jennie sat up again, slower this time.

Then she reached out, grabbing Lisa by the shirt and pulling her down slightly so they were eye level.

“You’re really annoying,” Jennie said.

Lisa nodded. “Yes.”

Jennie smiled. “But I like it.”

Lisa’s expression softened instantly.

And Jennie, because she was Jennie, added, “Also… breakfast first. Then your ridiculous courting plan.”

Lisa immediately stood up. “Understood.”

Jennie watched her head toward the kitchen.

Then she called after her, voice lighter than she meant it to be:

“Hey, Lisa?”

Lisa turned. “Yes?”

Jennie smirked. “Don’t forget the part where you remind me I’m loved. I’m holding you to that optional-but-recommended thing.”

Lisa nodded seriously. “It will be delivered.”

Jennie shook her head, smiling to herself as she got out of bed.

Five months in, and Lisa still courted her like she was something precious she hadn’t fully won yet.

And Jennie?

Jennie never once told her to stop.