“What’s that?” Halle asks.
“That,” I groan, dragging the word out. “Is Xavier’s number.”
“No fucking way!” Tessa squeals.
Sarah snatches the paper, holding it close to inspect the scrawl of his handwriting. Halle doesn’t even hesitate; she tips the fresh bottle, filling our glasses to the top. The wine is already humming through my veins, loosening the nerves I’ve been carrying since this morning. I slink lower into my chair, my legs stretched out.
“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you everything.”
Every ridiculous detail about what happened at the store, I tell them.
“Oh my god.” Tessa sighs.
“Have you messaged him yet?” Sarah asks.
I shake my head. The thought of texting him makes my stomach roll. I can’t tell if it’s the good kind of nerves or the kind that screamsDon’t do it.
“What’s stopping you?” Halle asks, picking up a cube of cheese.
“I don’t know. Everything.” I shrug. “I’m a mess right now. Hunter’s back.”
“You know, in a perfect world, my brother would never have left you waiting. He would never have shut you out.” Halle’s voice wavers, just for a second. “I’m so disappointed that he did. I’m mad that you’ve lost your spark that makes youyou.”
My chest burns, and I look down because hearing her say I’ve lost my spark hurts.
“I don’t know why he did what he did,” she continues. “I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt, hold onto hope that he’ll fight for you. But if you getting back out there—exploring new things, new possibilities, first dates, the bad and the good—helps you move forward, helps you find yourself again… I’ll be here to support you.”
“So will I,” Tess adds firmly. “You’ve been living in this slump for months now. I think it’s time you put yourself first.”
“I agree with the girls,” Sarah says, raising her glass like she’s making a toast. “Don’t let any man hold you back. Life’s too short for that shit.”
“I’ll think about it,” I promise, twisting my glass between my hands. “Today was a lot. I don’t want to make any sudden decisions. If I decide to message Xavier, you’ll all be the first to know.”
“Damn straight we wanna be the first,” Tessa says, pointing at me. “Halle, make sure you add Sarah to our group chat.”
I laugh, shaking my head at her. “Okay, can we move on now? I’m done wasting our energy on boys.” I push back from the table and gather our empty glasses. “Let’s makewine slushies and put on these face masks Tessa brought over.”
The girls all laugh, and just like that, the heaviness in the room instantly lifts. That’s what I love most about us. We always seem to know when the right time to push is and when it’s not. So, for the rest of the night, we let go. We drink, we snack, we put on those ridiculous animal face masks. Tessa ends up as a lion, and we laugh so hard at her roaring impressions that our stomachs cramp and tears run down our faces. We sprawl across the cushions on the floor, talking about Halle’s first art classes and the plans for her next one. We soak up every detail we can about Remi, and we dance our hearts out. This is everything I needed. My heart feels fuller than it has in months, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and when we settle in to watch a movie, I can’t help but feel like tonight is the start of something new.
By the time the credits roll on the movie, it’s close to midnight. When I glance around, I find the girls curled up in the nest of pillows, blankets tugged up to their chins, their phones and half-empty wine glasses forgotten as the sound of their soft breathing fills the room. A small smile tugs at my mouth at the sight, and a wave of exhaustion hits me. I grab the remote, turning off the TV. The silence that follows is comforting. I could go to sleep right here, but the last thing I want is for Mom to come home from a long night at work and walk into this mess. Sighing, I stand, pick up the glasses from the coffee table, and shuffle into the kitchen. I begin to rinse one, then another, the quiet clink of glass echoing in the still house.
A faint buzz pulls my attention from the sink. I glance over at the table, frowning, and cross the room to find Halle’s phone lighting up with an incoming video call from Hunter. For a second, I hesitate, and my pulse stumbles, mychest tightening. I don’t want to answer. Shit, Ireallydon’t want to. But then I remember he has Remi, and he could be calling for Sarah. I don’t want to wake either of them, so with a reluctant swipe, I accept the call.
My breath catches when the call connects, and my eyes meet his. My traitorous and unsteady heart beats faster. His hair is a mess, his jaw shadowed, and even with the tired lines under his eyes, I find myself drinking him in. Like I’ve been starved.
“Madi,” he whispers, his eyes widening at the sight of me.
“Halle’s asleep,” I say quickly, before I can lose my nerve. “Did you want me to wake her?”
“No. No, I—uh…” He stumbles, clearly not expecting me to answer. “I was just calling to check in. Sarah didn’t reply to my last text. I wanted to let Halle know Remi is fast asleep, and if Sarah is out, not to wake her. We’re all good here.”
“Oh.” My voice comes out soft. “That was… thoughtful of you.”
Silence stretches between us. Seconds that feel like whole minutes tick by, no words spoken. I should hang up. But I can’t make myself look away. His tired face fills the screen, and something in me aches. My fingers twitch with the urge to reach out, to trace the shadows under his eyes, to close the distance. I bite down hard, and I watch his eyes zero in on my lips. I want to say it—I miss you, I miss us. The words claw at my throat, but the longer I linger on his face, the harder I force them back. He sees it, though, he always does with me. The sigh that escapes him carries the same weight I feel.
“I miss you,” he says.
I feel the sincerity deep in my soul, see it in the depths ofhis eyes. The words land like a blow. He misses me, like I miss him. It takes everything in my power not to give in. Old me would have fallen instantly. But I can’t. Not now. Not after everything. All I can do is offer him a small shaky smile before my trembling finger moves to the screen, hanging up on him.
