Paige claps once. “Awesome shut down.”
Nancy grins. “I’m stealing ‘strategic decisions’ for my dating bio.”
I sink back against the couch, finally letting my shoulders drop.
“I didn’t plan to feel… anything,” I admit, staring at the ceiling.
Paige softens. “Did you feel something?”
I choose my words carefully. “He surprised me.”
Nancy nods like that’s exactly what she expected. “That’s dangerous territory for you.”
“I’m not swept off my feet,” I say. “I’m not spiraling. I’m just... aware.”
Aware that Mason was confident.
Aware that Gregory was impressive.
Aware that Colby, Player Three, was present in a way that didn’t ask for applause.
He didn’t perform.
He didn’t posture.
He didn’t chase the crowd.
I chose the one who didn’t need to win.
My phone buzzes.
Once. Twice. Then it doesn’t stop.
Group chats. Mentions. Tags. A text from work. A message from someone I didn’t expect.
Paige peers over. “Oh wow. You’re trending.”
“I don’t trend,” I mutter.
Nancy smiles. “You do now.”
The noise of the arena seeps back in under the door, muffled but persistent.
I exhale slowly.
This was smart.
Contained.
Professional.
And somehow, it nudged something loose I hadn’t planned on touching yet.
Paige is the first one to break the moment.
“Okay,” she says, clapping her hands once like she’s calling a meeting to order. “Logistics. Because if I don’t ask, my brain is going to start writing fanfic and I don’t want that kind of accountability.”
Nancy nods immediately. “Yes. We need facts. Times. Locations. Boundaries. Ideally in bullet points.”
