Page 16 of How I Ruined Everything by Kissing My Roommate

Just so we’re clear,” he continued, leaning against the counter. “Sophie’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and I can tell she’s crazy about you.”

I opened my mouth. Closed it again.

“But,” he added, not unkindly, “if you break her heart because you’re scared of your own feelings, I won’t sit still. Got it, Hart?”

The room seemed to tilt.

I nodded.

“Good,” he said, clapping my shoulder once. “Now relax. You’re doing fine. Just keep doing whatever you both are doing.”

Across the room, I noticed that Maya had already hooked an arm around Sophie’s elbow, tugging her toward the balcony doors. Panicked, I followed them wondering what my best friend was doing with my new girlfriend.

Outside, the air was cooler, quieter. Maya leaned against the railing, studying Sophie with an intensity that cut through the party buzz. I observed from a distance, listening in.

“So,” Maya said, “you like her.”

Sophie laughed softly. “Yeah. We’re going out.”

“I knew it,” Maya’s voice was high. “I totally thought she’d run away, but Iris must like you if she agreed to date.” There was a pause. “You probably already know, but it takes a lot for Iris to trust. She’s a mess at the moment.”

Sophie nodded immediately. “I know.”

“But she’s worth it,” Maya continued. “What you see as walls? That’s trauma. Real stuff. She’s not pushing you away because she doesn’t care. It’s because she does. Please be patient with her. I promise under all that grumpiness lies a heart of gold.”

Sophie’s expression softened. “We’ll go slow. I won’t push her, Maya.”

“Good,” Maya said. “Because every time Iris lets you see one inch, it feels like a mile to her.”

Sophie exhaled, thoughtful. “Then I’ll walk miles.”

My heartbeat echoed in my head. Sophie was patient with me, she was nice, she was kind and wanted to help others. In other words, she was just the kind of person I needed.

When they came back inside, Sophie found me immediately. No hesitation. No games.

She stood close—close enough that our shoulders brushed.

“You okay?” she asked quietly.

I nodded, still a little dazed. “Yeah. I think… I think I am. You got a warning from my best friend?”

Her smile was small but real. “Yeah. And you got one from Mark.”

“He’s protective of you. Are you sure he’s not your boyfriend?” I teased.

“Oh, I’m sure.” Sophie took my hand, holding it tight. “Because my girlfriend is right here.”

The walk back from the party was quiet, the kind of quiet that settled after something important had already happened. Sophie stayed beside me, close but unintrusive, her presence steady in a way that made my chest ache.

Mark’s words replayed in my head. Maya’s faith lingered like a hand at my back. They both knew that we were dating, and with my secret out in the open, everything seemed different.

I looked up and saw the studio in the distance, an idea lighting up my head. I had to trust myself too, and to do that, I had to lay myself bare before Sophie.

I slowed, my fingers trembling a little at the decision I’d made.

Then I stopped.

Sophie noticed immediately. “Hey,” she said gently. “Everything okay?”