Stella quirks an eyebrow. “Brandon?”
I nod. “Yeah. Think about it.” I gesture vaguely toward the kitchen like he might walk in at any second. “He always remembers our coffee orders, even the obnoxious ones with oat milk and extra foam and sugar-free vanilla.”
Stella nods slowly. “That’s true.”
“And he texts the group chat exactly when we need it, whether it’s a pep talk before a big meeting or some meme about emotionally unavailable men fromThe Bachelor.”
“Also true.”
“And when your car died in North Hollywood last month? He didn’t even hesitate. Just showed up.”
She’s quiet, thinking. “That’s just Brandon, though. He’s everyone’s go-to person. Like, platonic ride-or-die. I don’t think he even knows hownotto show up.”
“Exactly,” I say. “That’s the point. He does all that because that’s who he is, not because he wants anything from us. That kind of thoughtfulness and effort shouldn’t feel rare. That’s the bar. Bare minimum, honestly.”
Stella nods again, more slowly this time, her eyes a little unfocused. “Yeah. That makes sense.”
I watch her for a second, letting the silence stretch. “So, ifMason isn’t eventryingto meet that bar, is he really worth your time?”
She opens her mouth and then hesitates. “I don’t know. I mean, I hear you, and you’re probably right. But I’d like the chance to find out. I haven’t even had one real conversation with the guy. What if he is that type of person and I just don’t know it yet?”
“I guess time will tell.”
She looks at me and smiles. “Honestly, Lucas has set a pretty amazing bar being with you.”
I pause. “With me?”
She nods like it’s obvious. “Yeah. He’s always looking out for you. Like, at your dinner party? He made your plate with all your favorite stuff and didn’t even ask. He justknew. The Porto potato balls, the cheese you like, those weird little crackers.”
I blink, caught off guard.
“And he always makes sure you get the exclusives before he tips anyone else off. He backed you up in the press release about Sophia when it could’ve caused a whole storm.”
I don’t say anything.
I’ve always seen the competition. The quick-witted banter. The sharp edges. The rivalry that feels like gasoline and sparks. But there were moments. Little ones.
The way he makes sure I have water on red carpets. The way he stepped in with Marcus that night in Vegas. The bracelet he gave me with the engraved charm of my show’s name. Now, with Stella laying it out so plainly, it clicks.
He has been showing up for all of us—and for me, even when I wasn’t looking.
I glance at the time on my phone and jolt a little. “Shit. I gotta go. Lucas is probably wondering if I fell into a hole.”
Stella grins. “Tell him I said hi. And that I expect a full Sacramento debrief the second you’re back.”
I stand from the couch and grab the garment bag I left near the door. “Deal. And for the record?”
She raises an eyebrow.
“You are a catch, Stella. Don’t settle and don’t sell yourself short. You deserve the fairytale Hallmark story of your delusions!”
She laughs. “I won’t hold my breath.”
“Maybe you should!”
I head out with a laugh and a grin that stays with me all the way to my car, along with the growing realization that Iamhappy.
twenty-two
