I found myself settling into easy conversations about school, the weather, and holiday plans. Marley stayed close, her hand occasionally brushing mine or her arm bumping my shoulder as we sat together on the couch. It felt natural and comfortable.
The evening flowed easily. Someone started a debate about whether Die Hard was actually a Christmas movie. Carmen’s coworker, Sarah, showed us pictures from her recent trip to Montreal. Atlas regaled everyone with stories from her job during the holiday shopping rush, complete with dramatic reenactments that had everyone in stitches.
It was around nine o’clock when Atlas suddenly clapped her hands together.
“Okay, everyone! Time for dessert. I made those peppermint chocolate cupcakes you guys loved last year, plus some other goodies.”
The room erupted with high, gleeful voices.
“I’ll help,” Carmen offered, starting to get up.
“No, no, you stay with our guests,” Atlas waved her off. “Kelechi!” She turned to me with a bright smile. “Want to help me in the kitchen? I could use an extra pair of hands with all these cupcakes.”
I glanced at Marley, who just shrugged with an amused expression.
“Sure, I’d be happy to help.”
Atlas practically bounced as she led me toward the kitchen.
“Perfect! I have like three dozen cupcakes, and Carmen made these little tartlet things that are honestly to die for.”
The kitchen counter was indeed covered with an impressive spread of desserts. Trays of beautifully decorated cupcakes, delicate pastries, and what looked like homemade fudge cut into perfect squares.
“Wow, you guys went all out,” I said, genuinely impressed.
“Well, Carmen’s the real baker. I just followed her recipes and tried not to burn anything,” Atlas laughed, then turned to me with that same excited expression she’d had when we arrived. “But okay, real talk? I’ve been dying to get you alone for two seconds.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Oh?”
“Oh, my goodness,” she said, her voice barely containing her excitement as she leaned against the counter. “You guys are together! Like, actually together! I could smell the attraction from miles away.”
I bit my lip, unable to suppress the smile that was spreading across my face. “Atlas…”
“Don’t even try to deny it,” she interrupted, grinning widely. “The way you two have been looking at each other all night? The casual hand-holding? Marley keeps getting this little smile every time you laugh at something. It’s adorable.”
“We’re… figuring things out,” I admitted, feeling shy under her gaze.
“Well, from where I’m standing, you’re figuring it out pretty well,” she grinned. “And honestly? I’m just happy. Marley deserves someone who makes her light up like that, and you, my friend, are definitely doing that.”
Her genuine warmth made my chest feel tight with emotion. It was one thing to have Marley in my life, another entirely to feel welcomed by the people who cared about her.
“Now,” Atlas said, straightening up and grabbing a tray of cupcakes, “let’s get these out there before Carmen comes looking for us and figures out I’ve been interrogating you about your love life.”
As we loaded up the trays and headed back toward the living room, I felt a familiar flutter of contentment.
The rest of the evening went well, and by eleven p.m. sharp Marley and I had said our goodbyes to Atlas and Carmen and driven home through the snowy streets.
The ride back home had been silent except for the sound of a melancholic song Marley played through her Spotify connected to the car’s Bluetooth.
“What song is this?” I asked sleepily.
“Almost Mine,” she said. “Some indie artist I found… I think her name is Halo or something.”
I nodded while allowing the song to play out, almost lulling me to sleep.
The moment we stepped inside, exhaustion hit me all at once.
“Oh Lord,” I groaned, kicking off my boots and letting them fall wherever they landed. “I didn’t know having fun could make someone this tired.”
