His smile lit up the room, his personality magnetic. He captivated the world around him with his laugh. He was perfect in every way.

And he belonged to my best friend.

Compared to the raging fire of a crush that burned when we were kids, how I felt about Rye now was a flickering flame—noticeable in the darkness, yet completely missed in the light. Moments like these, when he radiated joy and comfort, my heart betrayed me and fanned the flame. But, for Brook's sake, I only let it burn myself.

I sat by his side, watching him interact with the thousands of people that tuned in to listen to him. The YouTube video on my phone continued to play in my ears, but my attention was captivated by Ryan Gardner.

He adjusted his headphones, brown curls spilling into his eyes as he grinned into the camera. His mouth moved, but I couldn't make out the words until he looked straight at me.

I yanked my earbuds out, catching my name only. "Sorry, Rye, what?"

"Water, please."

He got me to do anything with his lopsided, dimpled grin. Including being his "get-it girl" while he streamed.

I pushed myself off the floor, dusting my leggings. "Sure! Anything else?"

He shook his head, reaching for a button on his keyboard and returning to his audience.

Careful to hide my face, I ducked out of the room, heading for the kitchen down the hall. Rye never kept enough snacks and water in his office, despite how much time he spent in it. He claimed that he didn't have to because the kitchen was so close, but I knew it was because he had me doing his bidding when I was home.

With a cold water bottle in hand, I slipped back into Rye's office. I caught a glimpse of the chat logs as I set it on the coaster in the corner of his desk. Dozens of questions about "that girl" flooded the chat, as they always did when I made an accidental appearance.

Rye winked at me as he reached for the bottle. "C'mon, chat, focus. Serious 'would you rather' questions, please," he said, chuckling.

I settled into the bean bag chair beside his desk, rewinding at least five minutes in my video. I put my earbuds back in and Rye's voice faded once again.

Rye didn't ask for anything else until Brook came home almost thirty minutes later, barging through the front door and commanding the whole house's attention.

I met her outside the office, shooting her a glare and reminding her that Rye was live.

Brook rolled her eyes, pursing her lips unapologetically and stomping into the kitchen. "I got cussed out today!"

"Did someone's room get swapped again?" I asked her in the living room while she stood at the island, pouring herself wine.

"Someone didn't have enough towels," she ground out, looking between her quarter-filled glass and the wine bottle in her hand. Huffing, she tipped the remainder of the bottle into her glass, almost overfilling it. "I seriously don't get paid enough to deal with this. I didn't slave away in college to be stuck as someone's doormat receptionist."

I eyed her nervously, pulling my legs into a criss-cross on the couch. "You didn't cuss back, right?"

Brook took a long sip before answering. "I was this close." She demonstrated with her free hand, and the space was almost nonexistent.

I played with my hoodie sleeve, picking at a loose thread. "Do you still want to quit?"

She slammed her glass on the counter, kicking off her heels and tossing them aside. "More than anything. This isn't hotel management! This is putting up with a pervy boss and pissy customers. And for what? Barely above minimum wage?"

I rested my chin in my hand. "You could apply with another hotel—"

"And say what? I want assistant manager or I walk?" Brook unbuttoned her blouse, leaving her in a black cami. "If I could, I would. But nothing is that easy."

"I'm sorry, Boo," I whispered, offering her a sympathetic smile.

Brook returned it with a reluctant but grateful smile of her own. "I'm fine. One day, I will be a kickass manager and eventually, the owner. For now, I take orders from Pervy Peter."

I grimaced. "I wish you didn't have to."

She laughed, bringing her glass to the couch and sitting beside me. "You and me both." After another long sip, Brook shoved my shoulder. "You now. What did you do all day?"

I stared at my lap, shrugging. "Not much. Early classes, so I was done around two. Umm . . . I got lunch with Major on his break, came back here, waitressed Rye during his stream, and now I'm with you."

Brook looked less than entertained.

"You are so boring. I can't believe the most exciting thing you did was go out with Major."

I lifted my head for two seconds to glare at her. "That's not even exciting. It's Major, the same guy who cooks our dinner every night."

A sly grin spread across her lips. "But it could be exciting. Admit it, how sweet would it be for us to date brothers? We'd be related one day!"

"We're already joint at the hip, dummy," I groaned, flopping back into the cushions.

"But sisters by law!" Brook clamped onto my arm, her wine sloshing in her other hand. "I don't know why you won't give him a chance."

"Yes, you do." I quickly took the glass and placed it on the coffee table. We'd already replaced the sofa cushions once because of wine stains. "I told you, he's not my type, okay?"

"What? He totally is! You love the tall, blond, super athlete! Remember Grant from high school?"

I covered my face with my sleeves. "We agreed to never mention him!"

"But my point is that you liked those guys then, so why not give it a shot now?" Brook crossed her arms over her chest, grinning again. "Maybe Rye and I will go out for dinner tonight."

"Brook, no," I whined, but she was already on her feet and in scheming mode.

"Help me get ready? I'm thinking sassy chic for a well-deserved night out." She flashed her dazzling smile and batted her long eyelashes.

"I don't like you," I mumbled, following her upstairs. "Can't you wait until tomorrow? You know, Valentine's?"

Brook paused in her doorway, tapping her lips. "You make a good point, dear best friend. Which is why," she whirled around to face me, "tomorrow night, the four of us will double date."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"This is such a bad idea."

Clothes flew across the room as Brook rummaged through her closet, completely ignoring my protests.

"I think a deep purple would suit you. If I could just find the dress!"

"Why can't you be normal?" I said under my breath, catching a sweater before it landed on the bedside lamp.

"Why can't you be fun? Live a little, Lani. Go out with Major."

I gave her a flat look, jaw clenched.

But like I always did, despite every objection, I gave in to Brook.

↠

I laid in bed that night knowing just down the hall, Rye was hearing all about Brook's matchmaking plan.

He had no idea how I felt; neither of them did. Neither of them knew how much it hurt. It was worse in high school, when PDA was their middle name. But now, they had the room they were always told to get, in a house of their own.

Head throbbing, I tossed my comforter to the side and sat at the edge of the bed. The clock on my nightstand blinked 1:41, reminding me that class started at seven and the professor hated tardiness.

Throwing a blanket around my shoulders, I stepped into the hall and shuffled toward the stairs. My footsteps echoed around me, filling the silence in the house. Most nights, the four of us were up late together, watching movies or keeping Rye company at the bar. Tonight, everyone was in bed by midnight.

Everyone but me.

I waded through the darkness, feeling the wall for the light switch. When I couldn't find it, I gave up on the lights entirely and edged around the corner into the kitchen.

"Hey, Nini."

I jumped, heart racing. Without the lights, I had no idea who was lurking in the shadows by the breakfast table. "Who's there?"

"Santa." The fuzzy outline of a figure chuckled. "Who do you think?"

"Can't be Santa when Christmas was over two months ago," I retorted, propping a hand on my hip.

"Unless I'm really behind on presents."

"Why are you sitting in the dark, Major?" My hand found the fridge handle, opening it slightly so the dim light seeped into the room.

Major's small smile grew, barely visible, but there. "Real men don't need light."

I rolled my eyes. "Real reason?"

"Couldn't find the switch and stubbed my toe on the island."

My smile mirrored his. "This is why I like you."

He quirked a brow. "Because I hurt myself for your amusement?"

"That and we both can't be bothered sometimes."

Major smirked then gestured to the seat beside him.

Closing the fridge, I wiggled around the island to the table. Major couldn't see it, but I nearly stubbed my toe, too.

"Glad you could make it," he said, then bit into something that sounded like a cracker.

"Cleared a busy schedule." I ran my fingers through the tips of my hair, attempting to straighten the knots.

Major hummed, his mouth full.

"What are you eating?"

"Ritz," he coughed out, pushing the packet onto my hand.

"No thanks." I tried to make out his face in the darkness. "Why are you awake? I thought you had to be up early, too."

Major sighed, crinkling the packaging again. "Went for a run. I thought it would help with . . . nerves."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Major? Nervous?"

He kicked my leg under the table. "Yeah, yeah, it happens to the best of us."

"Seriously, what's wrong, May?"

"I'll keep it simple, but essentially, I have to pitch a new idea to reach this month's target market based on trends. I can go bold and risk my job to make thousands, or stay safe and pitch what will keep us afloat." He shoved another Ritz into his mouth.

Frowning, I reached for his shoulder to comfort him, but I accidentally caught the side of his neck with my nail. "Sorry!" I squeaked when he hissed in pain.

"You're fine," he grumbled. "What were you even planning?"

"I was going to rub your shoulder!" I sighed, shaking my head. "I wanted to reassure you, but I'll stick to talking. I know nothing about business, but I know you and I know whatever route you take, it'll be the best one."

Major chuckled, finding my shoulder first try despite the blanket. "You mean like this? But thanks. That actually means a lot."

I shoved his hand away, groaning. "Not funny! I can't tell where you are!"

"Should we play Marco Polo?"

"You're having too much fun with this."

"A little. But, hey, I never get to see you, so I have some teasing to make up for."

"That's your fault for working so much." I draped the blanket across my lap, running my hand across the fuzzy side.

"You're always out, too!"

"At school!"

"Whatever," Major huffed. "Your turn. Why are you up?"

I bit my lip, sighing. "Brook."

"What did she do this time?"

"Double date tomorrow night."

"As in?" Major cleared his throat.

"The four of us. She wants to play Cupid."

He snorted. "And she can't see what's right in front of her?"

My fist connected with the muscle of his bicep.

He whined, inching away. "Sorry, sorry. I just don't know how she doesn't see it. Or Rye, for that matter."

"Because," I slapped him again, hitting only part of his arm, "I've spent years trying to make sure they don't. So, unless someone mentions it, they never will."

"Message received. Though, your love triangle disaster isn't high on my list of worries."

"Thanks."

"Don't be like that. You know I'm here to bail you out if you need. Tomorrow night, we'll play along with Brook's game so she doesn't get suspicious."

"Thank you, really."

"Of course."

The room fell silent, neither of us adding anything more. We didn't need to; we'd said everything that needed to be said. It was a staple in our friendship to sit and enjoy each other's presence without words. I didn't realize that was exactly what I needed to relax.

I didn't know how long passed before I heard chair legs scraping against the hardwood floor and Major clearing his throat.

"I should probably try to sleep. The zombie look doesn't exactly fit business-professional."

I smiled. "No, it doesn't."

"You should go, too. Don't you have class?"

"In . . ." I glanced at the clock on the stove, "about four and a half hours."

"Good luck. I'll see you tonight for our 'date'."

When I was sure he was upstairs, I let my smile fall. Some days, I wished I noticed Major first.

~<>~
welcome, friends.
issa me, mario. i'm back on my nerd shit but hear me out, i'm riding this bandwagon into the ground. and the dream team are my comfort peeps right now.
enjoy the depths of my randomness and stupid humor 💋