“Oh, Nothing,” Stella says. “Just that Jake literally hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you walked up.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Stop.”
“It’s true,” Jess chimes in. “He was watching the entrance like a hawk until you showed up.”
I take a long sip of my mocktail. “We may have accidentally slept together. Again.”
All four of them light up like I just announced I won the lottery.
“I fucking knew it,” Jess says.
Stella grabs my arm. “Nat, this is amazing.”
“Is it though?”
“Yes,” all four of them say in unison.
“He’s clearly into you,” Sophia says. “Like, really into you.”
“And you’re into him?” Blair asks.
I don’t deny it because what’s the point? They all saw my face when I walked up and spotted him in his costume.
For just a second, I let myself imagine it. Jake and me and our baby. Holidays where we’re all together, not split between houses. Birthday parties where we’re both there, not taking turns. Lazy Sunday mornings tangled in bed while the baby naps.
It’s terrifying how badly I want that. How easy it is to picture. How right it feels.
“Earth to Natalie,” Stella says, waving a hand in front of my face.
I blink. “Sorry. What?”
“I said, are you going to do anything about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. We’ll see.”
It’s the most honest answer I’ve given in weeks, and judging by their faces, they know it. Before anyone can press further, the DJ switches to a throwback Halloween song, and the energy on the makeshift dance floor kicks up.
“Come on,” Stella says, grabbing my hand. “Let’s dance.”
I let myself be pulled into the crowd, and for the next hour, I forget about everything except moving to the music. Stella spins me around, Jess teaches me some ridiculous TikTok dance, and Sophia joins in with surprising enthusiasm for someone dressed like royalty.
I’m laughing. Actually laughing. The kind of deep, unguarded joy I haven’t felt in months.
When I finally step off the dance floor, breathless and grinning, Jake is waiting with a fresh mocktail.
“You looked like you were having fun,” he says, handing me the drink.
“I was.” I take a long sip, grateful for the cold sweetness. “I forgot how much I love dancing.”
“You’re good at it.”
“You didn’t dance?”
“I was enjoying the view.”
Heat flashes through me at the way he’s looking at me, and I have to glance away. “That’s very smooth, counselor.”
“I have my moments.”
