And something about that tugs unexpectedly at my chest, a strange tightness I don’t know what to do with.
Almost without thinking, I reach out and rest a hand on his shoulder.
It’s meant to be steadying, a quiet gesture of support.
Though if I’m honest, I don’t feel all that steady myself.
He tenses under my touch, just for a second, and I instantly wonder if I’ve crossed a line. But then, slowly, I feel the tension ease. His shoulders drop. He breathes out.
I let my hand linger a moment longer.
Then, lowering my voice so no one else can hear, I lean in and say gently, “Don’t worry, Sebastian. I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen Anne, but she’s still the same loud, lovely disaster she’s always been. I’m sure she can’t wait to see you.
And the others... they’re good people. Honestly.
You’ll be fine. You’ll have a great time.”
Then, in an even lower voice, closer to his ear, where I catch that same soft vanilla scent I noticed earlier, back when he literally fell on top of me, I add, “If I’m being honest… I need the distraction too.
I still can’t believe Maddie’s actually gone.”
A quiet sigh escapes me as I let my hand drop.
That’s when he turns to look at me, really look.
And for a moment, it feels like he sees straight through to something I didn’t realise I was wearing on the outside. Then he offers a steadier smile, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little, and takes a tentative step toward the pub.
“Okay… thanks, Remi. I know everything’s fine, it’s just…”
He trails off, hesitates, then shakes his head with a soft laugh.
“You’re right. Let’s enjoy the evening.”
We step through the door, and whatever nerves he had seem to vanish the instant his eyes meet Anne’s. It’s like something magnetic clicks into place.
Sebastian rushes toward her without a moment’s hesitation and wraps her in a hug. Anne, almost as tall as me in heels, towers over him by a good fifteen centimetres. He tucks his head under her chin, and she kisses the top of it gently.
They stay like that for a few seconds. Then he looks up at her, and as soon as their eyes meet again, they both burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, I make my way over to the rest of the group, greet them all, and let myself watch the scene unfold with a quiet sense of relief.
Francis, my best friend, throws an arm around my shoulders and leans in, eyebrows raised.
“Remi, mate… what’s going on here? Why is the new guy snuggling up to my girlfriend?”
I shrug off his arm and give him a light slap on the back.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know they’ve been friends since they were kids, and they haven’t seen each other in years.”
Thankfully, I’d warned everyone in the group chat earlier that Sebastian would be joining us tonight. Otherwise, knowing Francis, he might’ve actually made a scene just for the drama of it.
Still, his brow is furrowed in a theatrically suspicious glare as he keeps glancing between Anne and Sebastian, who are still lost in their own little bubble, talking fast, laughing, clearly catching up on everything all at once.
I hang back, giving them space. I’ve no idea what they’re saying, but whatever it is, you can tell it’s been a long time coming.
I catch myself smiling and can’t quite explain why.
Then I turn back to Francis and lower my voice.
