“Adriana,” I tease, nudging her foot under the table. “You’re practically drooling. Who’s the guy?”
She blinks, tearing her gaze away from him to look at me. There’s a brief flicker of annoyance—like I’ve pulled her from something she didn’t want to leave—but it’s gone as quickly as it came. Her smile is instant, but something in her eyes shifts, like she’s forcing herself to focus on me when just seconds ago, she was a million miles away. “I am not drooling,” she protests, though her voice wavers. I arch a brow, calling bullshit.
“I see the way he’s looking at you. Come on, spill.”
Adriana glances over at him again, biting her lip before finally sighing. Her hands fidget with her mug, spinning it in slow circles as if she’s trying to work out exactly what to say. Or maybe how much to say. “His name’s Kenji. He asked me out the other day.”
My eyes widen, excitement bubbling up inside me. “What? Why the hell didn’t you lead with that? When are you guys going out?”
She takes a slow sip of her coffee, dragging it out way longer than necessary. “I don’t know. I told him I’d think about it.”
“Think about it? Girl, he’s hot! You should definitely say yes.”
Adriana shrugs, but I can tell by the way her fingers tap nervously on the table that she’s not completely against the idea. She shrugs again, and her shoulders tense, like she’s waiting for me to push. She’s looking down now, her eyes a little wide, almost like she’s scared to make a decision. “I don’t know. Heseems nice, but … you know how it is. He’s a hockey player. And you know the reputation they have.”
There’s a flash of something in her eyes—doubt, maybe? Fear?—but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared.
She’s talking, but it feels rehearsed—like she’s listing reasons to convince herself, not me.
I roll my eyes. “Not all athletes are players, Adriana. Look at Gabriel—he’s different.”
She gives me a pointed look. “Yeah, but Gabriel wasn’t always like that. You are the only girl he’s ever been like this with. What if Kenji’s just hoping for an easy lay? I … I’m not great at judging people’s intentions.” Her voice drops lower, quieter now, as if she’s revealing more than she meant to. Her fingers tighten around her mug.
“Or,” I counter, leaning forward, “what if he’s a good guy who actually likes you? Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there. Besides, he’s cute.”
Adriana glances back at him, and I don’t miss the small smile playing on her lips. “He is cute,” she admits, her cheeks flushing. “But I don’t know?— ”
I shake my head. “It’s just one date, right? You’re not committing to anything serious.”
She hesitates, her gaze drifting back to Kenji, who’s now laughing with his friends but sneaking glances in her direction when he thinks she’s not looking. It’s obvious—he’s waiting for her to say something. To make a move or approach his table maybe.
“You know what?” I say, giving her a nudge. “What if we do a double date? You guys with Gabriel and I?”
Adriana freezes, her fingers tightening around her cup. There’s a flicker of something behind her eyes—hesitation, or maybe even doubt—like she’s unsure whether to trust me with this decision. Then she releases a breath, her shouldersloosening like she’s letting herself settle into the idea. “Okay. Fine. I’ll go out with him, but you’re coming too.”
Victory. “Deal,” I say, grinning. “Now, text him and set it up before you chicken out.”
She laughs, pulling out her phone. “You’re relentless, you know that?”
“Of course, I am. Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t let a good thing slip away.”
Adriana pulls out her phone, her fingers moving fast over the screen like she’s trying to get it over with before she changes her mind. She hesitates for a second, her lips pressing together tightly before she places the phone face down on the table, almost like it’s a challenge. “Okay, it’s done. Happy now?”
“Ecstatic.” I give her a wink, and she rolls her eyes, but her smile is softer now, a little less forced.
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping our drinks, and I can’t help but feel a little proud of myself. Kenji’s clearly interested, and Adriana deserves to have some fun. Plus, it’s nice to focus on someone else’s love life for a change.
Her phone buzzes on the table, and she glances at it before looking up at me, eyes wide. “He’s good with the double date idea. He wants to know if Tuesday next week sounds good?”
I lean back in my chair, a smug smile on my face. “It’s a date!”
Adriana shakes her head. “You’re the worst.”
“Or the best,” I counter, grinning. “This will be fun. Trust me.”
“MmmHmm. Might want to let your boyfriend know what you signed him up for.”
Adriana’s words land softly, but they carry an edge, like she’s testing them out—trying to figure out how I’ll react. Boyfriend. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it—Gabriel being my boyfriend—but hearing someone else say it out loud makes it feel more real. Like we’ve crossed some invisible line from casual tosomething more. And damn if that doesn’t give me all the warm fuzzies.
