LENA POV
I’m actually happy to see my bestie after she’s been gone for a while. I really am.
If it were up to , we’d be curled up on my bed right now, gossiping about her mystery man, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and sharing our favorite snacks like old tis.
But I can’t. Especially not today.
Because Sandy, my dad’s girlfriend, has promised to help save the man I love.
My Man.
Tyler.
My Tyler.
Everyone thinks he’s guilty of things he could never do but they don’t know him and I know him.
I feel him.
And Sandy, sweet and sisterly Sandy, said she believes . She said she’d help clear his na, and for the first ti in weeks or even months, I actually feel like I’m doing sothing that matters. Finally helping soone I genuinely love in a way that matters.
So why, then, does Nova freeze up the second I ntion it?
Her face drains of color like I’ve just told her soone died. She blinks too fast, breath stuttering.
Strange. What’s that about?
Isn’t she supposed to be happy for ?
Sandy already warned that one of my friends was a little jealous, she said so girls can’t stand when they’re not the center of attention and while I trust her motherly concerns, I still trust my girls. I’ve known Nova too long to think she’d ever turn on .
Still, her reaction feels off..... it’s off.
"Wh–where are you going?" Nova’s voice trembles. She looks genuinely terrified, eyes wide like she’s staring at a ghost.
I frown, trying to keep things light.
"To save my man, duh. Nova, get a grip. You’re scaring ."
I give her a small shove on the arm, laughing a little. She can be so dramatic sotis.
"Your man?" She repeats slowly, voice tight. Why is she acting slow?
"What’s wrong with her?" I mutter to others in the room.
"She ans Tyler," Katie pipes up without looking up from her iPad, sarcasm dripping from her tone.
And just like that, I see a flicker of relief in Nova’s face and it’s like she’s been holding her breath for hours. Weird. Very weird.
I shake it off, grabbing my portable suitcase from the corner. My hands are trembling slightly from either nerves or excitent or both.
And there was only one way to distract myself which is by reapplying my lipstick, blending it into a perfect ombré shade. When I et Sandy’s gaze in the mirror, she gives that soft, approving smile that always makes feel seen.
I can’t rember the last ti I had that, an intentional woman figure who looked out for .
"You’re going to Texas with her?" Nova points at Sandy like she’s accusing her of a cri.
"Why not?" I ask, blinking. "You’re being weird, Nova." My tone softens, but I can’t quite hide the edge.
"Is she safe?" Nova asks next, voice small, like she’s asking sothing that hurts her to say.
"Is who safe?" I tilt my head.
"She," she clarifies, eyes darting between us. "Are you safe with her?"
The question lands like an insulting slap.
"What’s that supposed to an?" My voice rises before I can stop it. "You think I’m not safe with my dad’s girlfriend? Is that what you’re insinuating right now?"
Nova blinks, startled by my reaction and she should damn well be. She’s crossing a line and doesn’t even realize it.
"Lena, has your dad even told you they’re together? Have you... confird?" she presses carefully.
I laugh, but it cos out brittle. "Oh, co on, Nova. Sandy’s been my dad’s secretary for years. You know how that story goes. The typical CEO and secretary, classic romance. It’s practically a cliché."
I look at Sandy for backup, but for a second, there’s sothing strange in her eyes. Fear, maybe. Guilt? No, that can’t be right.
Nova must be rubbing off on , making see ghosts where there aren’t any.
"Anyway," I continue, brushing off the mont, "it’s kind of our little secret right now. Sandy said Dad doesn’t want to know just yet. I know that he’s nervous about how I’ll react. I’m playing along until he’s ready to tell himself."
"Really?" Katie says flatly, still scrolling. I really want to throw a pillow at her face.
"Yes, really," I reply with exaggerated cheer.
"At least she’s not so girl my age trying to hook up with him. Imagine that, my dad dating soone barely out of college? I’d throw the most dramatic fit of my life, but not before ripping the gold digging whore out of his hands and life of course."
I chuckle, expecting them to laugh, but the silence that follows is thick and awkward.
Sandy’s staring at Nova again and it’s not that she’s glaring, exactly, but she’s intently watching my friend.
Nova looks pale, her hands fidgeting in her lap, pinching the skin between her fingers like she’s trying to ground herself.
What is going on with her?
"The lawyer I want you to et will be closing soon if we don’t leave now," Sandy says finally, glancing at her watch. Her voice is calm, but there’s sothing tight underneath it.
"I’m done." I grab my bag, smile wide, and push all the weird tension aside. "We can go."
I turn back to my friends, forcing so normalcy into my tone. "Love you, KayKay. Love you, NoNo." I blow them both a kiss.
Katie waves absently. Nova doesn’t move.
And for so reason, that sticks in my chest. her stillness, the way she looks at like I’m walking straight into sothing I won’t co back from.
But I shake it off.
Sandy’s already waiting by the door, perfu trailing behind her like expensive danger.
I follow her out, suitcase wheels rattling softly against the floor.
Freedom, I tell myself.
That’s what this is.
Freedom from waiting.
From helplessness.
From the ache of not knowing if the man I love is safe.
Sandy holds the door open, her smile just a little too sharp around the edges but I’m sure it’s overthinking things.
"Ready, darling?" she says.
"Always," I answer, stepping into the sunlight.
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