There’s comfort in the silence now— that gentle hush where nobody feels the need to fill the space.The kind of quiet that is earned, full of contentment and unspoken things that don’t need fixing.
It is the hum of friendship, that rare, sacred thing where you can let your guard down and just be.No performances.Simply girls on a couch, wrapped in a night that could go on forever.
And that’s when the conversation starts.
Aubrey shifts in her chair, placing her cold mug on the coffee table, and glances at Lola, who’s still lying on the floor, half-focused on the braid she’s been working into Liz’s hair.
“So,” Aubrey starts casually, “are we ever going to talk about what’s going on with you and Jace?”
Lola freezes mid-braid.
Liz snorts from the floor.“Oh my god.Finally.”
“Nothing’s going on,” Lola says, too quickly.
Liz immediately snorts.“Oh, it’s not nothing.”
“Do you mind not outing me in my own house?”Lola says.
Liz raises her eyebrows, grinning.“Babe, it’s not exactly subtle.You practically purr when he walks into a room.”
“I do not—”
“You do,” I cut in, smirking.“And don’t get me started on the food thing.No one else gets to steal bites off your plate without losing a hand.”
Lola groans and flops dramatically onto her back.“You’re all seeing things.”
“Please,” Liz mutters.“You bring him snacks.And not the cheap ones either.The good stuff.You literally shared your last dumpling with him.”
“I felt sorry for him,” Lola says quickly, staring at the ceiling.“You know the kind of life he’s had.It’s not like he’s got a stocked fridge waiting for him at home.”
Aubrey’s voice softens.“Is that why you’re so good to him?”
“I just…” Lola shrugs.“I don’t know.He lets me be myself.He doesn’t get offended when I say dumb shit.He never shuts me down.It’s not like that with most guys.”
That part’s true.Jace is the only one who lets her get away with the relentless teasing, the sass, the weird food combinations she forces on people.And he always takes it.Laughs.Sometimes even shoots it right back.
I glance at Lola, tempted to speak.I could tell them what Reece said.That Jace likes her.That it isn’t banter for him.It’s something more.But I promised Reece I wouldn’t say anything, and for some reason, I want to keep that.
“I mean… he’s cute.Obviously,” Lola continues.“He’s got that whole scruffy, brooding, stares-at-the-wall-too-long vibe.I’ve wondered about it, sure.”
“So if he ever made a move?”Aubrey taps her fingers against the arm of the chair.
Lola raises her eyebrows.“You mean, if he ever actually tried something?”
Aubrey nods.
Liz leans in.
“I’d shut it down,” Lola snorts.
“Why?”Liz asks.“You clearly like him.”
Lola turns her head toward Liz.“Because it’s Jace.He’s hot, yeah.And he lets me get away with shit no one else does.But he’s a fuckboy.The kind who chews girls up, spits them out and doesn’t even look back to see if they’re still standing.”
Her words hit harder than I expected.And suddenly I start thinking about Reece—about how he’s the same.The same swagger, reckless charm, and trail of broken hearts behind him.
“I don’t want to be that girl,” Lola adds.“One of many.No thanks.”
