“I’ve missed our movie nights,” I say, setting it all down on the coffee table and turning on Liam’s large TV. I settle next to her, throwing the blanket and playfully tucking her in as Fiasco jumps up to claim his spot at my feet. He circles three times before collapsing with a dramatic huff against my legs.
“So.” Artemis scrolls through Liam's streaming services, “are we going to talk about the fact that Mr. Broody McBrooderson confessed he'd die without you?”
I bury my face in a pillow, smiling, “I’m still processing all of it…"
“Do you… do you love him?” she asks, shoving the largest scoop of ice cream into her mouth, and my eyes go wide at the obscenity.
“Yeah…I do…” My cheeks flush as I say it out loud, and the fear grips me that this might evaporate as quickly as I allow myself tobelieve in something precious, and Artemis shoves a scoop of ice cream into my mouth, making us both laugh. I don’t know how many happy minutes or hours we have until things calm down, but I am grateful for any of it.
She finds 'When Harry Met Sally' and hits play, while she threads her fingers in my hair and Fiasco’s snores soothe us.
Two hours later, we're sprawled across Liam's leather sectional, empty bowls with melted remnants scattered on the coffee table. Artemis and I lie head-to-head, staring at the ceiling as the credits roll.
“I never thought I'd be here,” I whisper, the weight of everything settling over me like a blanket. “With him, I mean.”
Artemis turns her head to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “You know, I was ready to drag you out of here when I arrived. Had my whole speech prepared and everything.”
“What changed your mind?”
She smiles, something soft and knowing in her expression. “The way he looks at you, like you're his anchor.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I've never seen Liam Laurent look at anyone like that. Everyone knows him as this mean guy, but I guess I was wrong, and you know I’ll admit when I am.”
I smile, thankful for that. I look at her profile, illuminated by the dim lamplight, and feel a rush of gratitude. After everything we’ve been through, our strict parents, the times we felt so alone, misunderstood, attacked by gossip, the club, Tyler, the underground rooms, her ex trying to ruin her life—having her here grounds me. She's been a constant in a world that keeps shifting beneath my feet.
“I'm really glad you're here,” I say softly, nudging her with my foot.
“Me too.”
“Speaking of complicated men.” I venture, my curiosity finally getting the better of me. “What's going on with you and Damien? I've picked up on some... tension.”
Artemis's smile doesn't falter, but something shifts in her eyes with a barely perceptible cloud passing over their hazel brightness. She sits up, tucking her legs beneath her and smoothing her hair in that deliberate way she does when buying time.
“Life is complicated.” She reaches for her glass of water. “People are complicated. I’m too preoccupied with Naym not letting me see our daughter…”
Though her smile barely remains, I can sense a tightness to her heart, something deeply guarded and fragile beneath her composed exterior. I've known Artemis long enough to know she’s hurting in ways many don’t understand.
“I’m so sorry, Tattoo,” I whisper, sitting up too. “I just... I'm here if you need me, you know? Like you are for me.”
“I know—” She stops as Liam enters the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His lips curve into that familiar smirk that used to infuriate me but now sends warmth spreading through my chest.
“How are you girls doing?” he asks, eyes scanning the mess of ice cream containers and the movie credits still rolling on screen. It all seems to amuse him rather than annoy him, and I can't help but smile at the domesticity of it all.
When he gazes at Artemis, his body shifts. “What’s wrong, Artemis? who do we need to beat up?”
Artemis smiles and waves her hand. “You’ve got enough going on, Liam. Thank you.”
“You’d be proud to know we didn’t need to paint Fiasco.” I smirk and Fiasco lifts his too sleepy snout at the sound of his name as to say 'What now?'
Artemis stretches, her designer dress somehow still immaculate despite our lounging. “And I was about to head out. It's getting late. I have meetings in the morning.” She reaches for her purse when the shadow of another figure appears behind Liam, making her freeze mid-movement.
“Oh, I didn't know you were here,” Artemis says, her voice catching slightly as Damien steps into view. The air in the room shifts immediately.
Damien leans against the doorframe, his dark eyes fixed on her in a way that makes me feel like I'm witnessing something intensely private.
“I was in the back with Liam, going over some details.”
Liam glances between them, then at me, raising an eyebrow slightly. I tilt my head subtly in response.
“I can give you a ride home,” Damien offers her, slipping into his leather jacket, his voice deliberately casual, but there's an undercurrent of something else—something that makes Artemis stiffen.
