A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. Candace noticed instantly, perking up. Then a metallicclinkdrew her attention to the kitchen, utensils against ceramic and garlic sizzling in oil.
I inhaled, letting it fill my lungs. “That smells glorious,” I called.
A muffled, “What?”
Candace cupped her hands. “She said it smells glorious!”
“Thank you!” Susan sang back.
“I’ll fetch the wine,” Candace announced, winking. “Leave you two alone.”
“The Orin Swift is a good option!” Susan called after her.
“Oh, now you can hear!” Candace shot back.
The room quieted. Back to the screen.
Say something human, not desperate, I ordered myself, mind blanking.
Another notification.
Read: I’ve resubscribed and am ready to go.
He… what? I read it three times, just to be sure.
Me: You really resubscribed just to watch art fraud?
Read: I appreciate elegance in all its forms. I did try to find squid-ink pasta delivery but failed… miserably.
My lips twitched.
Me: I appreciate the effort.
Read: Good. Let me know when you both start—I wouldn’t want to miss out.
I paused, pulling back. Twenty-three minutes of messages and we were… co-watching?
My mind was still trying to grasp the concept as Candace returned, dropping beside me on the couch with two glasses of Bordeaux like victory flags. “Status?”
“He redownloaded Netflix and wants to watch the documentary with us.”
Her face lit up, bright enough to fill the room. “Oh, he’s in it.” She stepped back on her stage. “Emma Sinclair—captivating men in under ten messages.”
“Please stop saying words.”
“No chance. Netflix, pasta, criminal documentaries—there it is: your love language.”
Susan rounded the corner with two steaming bowls. “Try not to wear dinner,” she warned. “Ink forgives no one.”
“What makes you think we’re not professionals?” I teased, taking mine.
Her brow arched. “I’ve seen you eat spaghetti.”
We both gasped, feigning offense.
“Did you zest lemon?” Candace asked, breathing deeply as Susan headed back toward the kitchen.
“Please,” Susan called over her shoulder. “I’m not an amateur.”
