“I just assumed,” she says with a small smile, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind one ear. “Since you two seem to have synched schedules lately.”
There’s nothing in her voice I cantechnicallycall out. No accusation or sharpness. But instead, there is a sugary glaze that feels put on too thick, intentional. I smile, even though I want to roll my eyes. “I think he was reading or something.”
“Mmm,” she says, letting the sound stretch. Then: “It’s nice that he’s so… relaxed, you know? I always got the impression Athena keeps him on a tight leash.”
My spine stiffens just enough for her to notice.
I want to saywhat the fuck is that supposed to mean, but instead I just smile tighter. “I’m sure they have their reasons for how they work.”
Nicole’s eyes sparkle. “Of course. Every relationship has its rhythm.”
And just like that, she takes another sip and walks away, humming to herself.
I stand there for a second too long, trying to shake the interaction off and trying not to read too much into it. It’s expected that she’s defensive of her friend, especially a friend that was in a relationship with someone for so long.
A few minutes later, after a quick stop in the bathroom to calm myself down, I step onto the terrace where the large table is set for dinner. My cheeks are still hot, and my skin is still buzzing like I haven’t fully returned to my own body. The table is already filling; Elle and Jack are at one end, Amelia taking a sip of wine from a very elegant glass in a deep purple color.
I take the only open seat left next to Amelia. Connor is across the table, directly in my line of sight. He glances up just as I do, and the corner of his mouth lifts. It’s small, private, and totally devastating. My face flushes hotter. Amelia offers me a sunny smile. “We were starting to think you two were going to skip dinner entirely.”
Before I can respond, Nicole cuts in from across the table. “Maybe they were just finishing the last of that fondue they had last night.”
There’s a chuckle or two, but it’s not exactly a joke, and I know it. My stomach knots.
Connor just raises an eyebrow and says, “Are you jealous of our culinary detour, Nicole?”
She lifts her wineglass with force, the liquid sloshing slightly off the rim. “Deeply.”
Conversation shifts back to the wine list and the spa treatments scheduled for tomorrow, but the undercurrent is still there. Tense. Watching. Everyone pretends not to be paying attention to who looks at who and for how long. I can feel it in the way Nicole’s eyes flick toward Connor every time someone says his name, in the way Elle keeps her tone light like she’s trying to smooth something over, in the way Hannah studies me like she’s still deciding if I should be at this table at all.
Amelia turns to me as the servers come out and begin setting plates in front of us. “You know,” she says lightly, with her usual easy smile, “I was surprised Athena didn’t come. Trips like this are herthing.”
I blink. “That’s what I’ve heard.”
“She probably just needed a breather,” Amelia adds, tone gentle and almost conspiratorial, like she’s offering reassurance. “They’ve been… figuring things out, I think. It can be good to take a little space.”
There’s no malice in it—just casual kindness—but the words catch in my chest.
“And I’m also surprised that Connor joined. Athena always said that he wouldneverdo one of these big group events again. Said he wasn’t the type.”
I glance at Connor before I can stop myself. He’s looking down at his plate, jaw tight, as if the comment slid straight under his skin.
I clear my throat. “Well, you know, things change.”
“Sure,” she says brightly, turning back to the breadbasket as if nothing about what she said could possibly be news to anyone at the table.
Connor doesn’t look up. And neither do I.
The tension pulls tighter than a rubber band. Like everyone knowssomethingis happening, but no one’s naming it. Not directly. They just keep poking at the edges, and it makes me very uncomfortable. More than normal.
I reach for a piece of bread I don’t want and chew slowly, hoping the food gives me an excuse to stay quiet. The thing is, Athena’s always been part of this group—louder than me, more polished, the kind of woman people naturally gravitate toward. I’ve spent years on the edges, watching her command every dinner, every trip, every moment. And now she’s not here, which feels strange for everyone. Maybe that’s why it feels like all eyes shift to me when Connor laughs or when his gaze catches mine.
Across the table, Connor finally looks at me again.
No smile this time but instead something careful and watchful. Like he’s trying to figure out if I regret everything already.
I don’t. I just didn’t realize how many eyes would be on us the second we came back down.
No pressure, I said.
