Brandon
“You look nice,”I say, leaning against the doorframe as I watch Stella tidy my bed with careful precision. “Big plans this morning?”
She's fully dressed and clearly operating on multiple cups of coffee, wearing dark jeans that actually fit her curves instead of hiding them, paired with a soft pink sweater that makes her eyes look impossibly blue. Her hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders, and there's something apologetic about the way she's smoothing my comforter.
“Coffee. With my mom.” She fluffs the pillows one more time before turning to face me. “I'm really sorry, but I need to borrow my boyfriend for an hour.”
“Let me check my call time?—”
“You don't have to be there until eleven.” She's already moving to straighten the items on my nightstand, clearly feeling guilty about commandeering my space. “I already checked. I'm sorry for being presumptuous.”
“You checked my schedule?” I can't help but grin. “That's very girlfriend-like of you.”
“Don't get smart with me.” But she's fighting a smile as she adjusts my alarm clock. “She keeps asking when she'll see you again, and coffee seemed like the most painless option. Quick, public, minimal opportunities for embarrassing stories about my childhood.”
I watch her fuss over my nightstand, trying to leave it exactly as she found it, and something warm spreads through my chest. She's been staying here for days, but she's still treating my space like she's a guest who doesn't want to overstep.
“You know you don't have to put everything back perfectly, right? You're allowed to exist here.”
“I just don't want to mess up your routine.” She pauses, biting her lip. “And I really am sorry for volunteering you. I was hoping I could get away with vague boyfriend references, but she's more persistent than I anticipated.”
“Give me five minutes to change into something that screams 'worthy of your daughter.'“
When I emerge in dark jeans and a navy henley, Stella's waiting by the door, looking relieved rather than terrified.
“Perfect timing!”
We both turn as Caroline appears from Stella's apartment. Despite the early hour, she looks like she stepped out of aSouthern Livingmagazine. Her cream cardigan is perfectly pressed, and she's practically glowing with anticipation.
“Good morning, Caroline,” I say, automatically reaching for Stella's hand. “Ready for some coffee?”
“Oh, I've been looking forward to this!” Caroline's face lights up as she takes in our coordinated casual outfits. “And look at you two! You match without even trying. Isn't that sweet?”
Stella squeezes my hand once, a silent thank you for playing along.
“I found the most charming little café just around the corner,” Caroline continues, already heading to the elevator. “Perfect for getting to know my daughter's boyfriend better.”
As we follow her, I lean close to Stella's ear. “See? Painless.”
“We haven't gotten to the interrogation part yet,” she murmurs back.
This should be fun.
As we round the corner toward the café, I catch sight of a familiar figure through the window: Mason, sitting at a table near the front, laptop open, completely absorbed in whatever he's working on.
Stella sees him at the exact same moment, and her grip on my hand tightens. I can practically feel her panic over the situational shit show we're in. We're meant to be boyfriend and girlfriend in front of her mother, but not at all in front of Mason.
That's when I spot our salvation in the form of a small table in the back corner that's about to be vacated by a couple gathering their things.
“You know what, Caroline?” I say, smoothly guiding us toward the door while dropping Stella's hand as naturally as possible. “Why don't you grab that table before someone else does? Stella and I can handle the coffee orders.”
“Great idea,” Caroline says.
Stella shoots me a look of pure gratitude as her mother heads to the back table, completely oblivious to the fact that she's just been expertly maneuvered away from witnessing whatever's about to happen between her daughter and Mason.
“You're a genius,” Stella whispers.
“Just don't let me down,” I whisper back, giving her a gentle push toward the counter.
