Simone.

[Are we okay?] I send the text, my hands skillfully tilting the phone, hiding my screen so Beth doesn't see that I'm texting her sister.

I would have put up other measures like saving Abby's number under: plumber or Gardener, stuff like that but it was so much work.

But she is my sneaky link.

We’ve managed to keep whatever’s going on between us a secret — or at least that’s what I think. I don’t know if Beth notices the subtle smiles or the intense eye contact Abby and I share when we’re in the same room. But if she does notice and chooses to ignore it, well, that says a lot about her.

I’m not sure I’m ready to find out.

“How are things with you and…” I trail off, my eyes darting back to my phone, which just dinged with a notification.

“Vincent,” Beth chirps in.

I nod. “Yeah, him.”

“Mmh, not bad. We’re going on our first date tonight,” Beth says, trying to hide her excitement, but I can tell she’s nervous too.

It’s endearing, stepping into something new, something unfamiliar. It’s like giving up control while at the same time, taking control of your life and deciding to steer it in a new direction.

Abby: [Sure.]

That’s it?

That’s all she has to say after not showing up last night? I lit candles for her, I made dinner for her. I even wore the peach dress Zack hates, but something tells me Abby would’ve loved it. I fluffed the pillows, changed the chair covers — I made the living room perfect, just for her.

And she didn’t show. No text, no call, nothing to let me know she wasn’t coming. And now she has the audacity to reply with Sure?

So disrespectful.

I shove my phone into my pocket, forcing my attention back to Beth. Guilt bubbles in my throat — she’s been talking, and I haven’t been listening.

“I hope it works out for you, Beth,” I mutter, the only neutral statement, hoping it sounds like I’ve been following along.

Beth gives me puppy-dog eyes, her lips turning into a small smile. “Aww, thank you. But I was talking about my dress. Should I get a new one? Maybe some lingerie?”

Right. She knows I haven’t been listening, but she doesn't act on it.

I force a tight-lipped smile and nod. “Definitely get lingerie.”

My suggestion turns Beth’s cheeks red, and she doesn’t even try to hide it. Has it been that long since she’s been touched? Have they not gotten that far yet? One would have thought they got together seeing how close they were at the gala that night.

But I can’t relate. It's different for me, it’s like my body has memorized Abby’s touch, her lips, her tongue. And when she’s not there, doing those things to me that make me shudder and shake like a mad person, it feels like I can’t breathe.

When we get to Beth’s house, I’m already scheming, thinking of some excuse to get inside. I need to know if Abby’s here. I need to see her, to find out what was so important last night that she stood me up for.

“I’m out of coffee beans,” I blurt out. Wow, really?

Beth stares at me. “Can I grab some from your kitchen?” I bubble, not giving her a chance to doubt me.

She shrugs. “Sure.”

My heart drums loudly as we near the porch. When Beth opens the door, Abby is standing there, fully dressed in jeans and a purple tee. She looks like she’s heading out, to work maybe?

But it’s too early, isn’t it?

“Where are you going?” Beth asks, echoing my thoughts.

Abby’s eyebrows furrow, lines forming on her forehead. She avoids eye contact, her gaze fixed on her sandals. The corner of her mouth is twitching, but it’s not a smirk. It’s something else entirely.

“Work,” she says, her voice flat and emotionless.

“Isn’t it early?” Beth presses, glancing at her phone for the time. She raises it to Abby’s face.

Abby sniffs, her eyes flicking to mine briefly before she looks away. It’s quick, but I catch it — the sadness in her usually bright eyes.

Something’s wrong.

“Okay,” Beth says, oblivious to the tension. She walks past Abby. “Sim, check the kitchen for the beans.”

“Thanks!” I shout after her as she heads upstairs. Then I turn to Abby, my voice low. “You stood me up.”

“I’m sorry.” Abby’s voice is neither loud nor soft. It’s just... empty.

“Well?” I shake my head. “Are you not going to explain why?”

Abby’s avoiding my gaze, and it hurts to see her pulling away.

“I had a headache,” she mutters, but I don’t believe it. It’s bullshit, and she knows it.

“Abby—”

“I don’t owe you an explanation, Simone. Not for this, not for last night, not for anything.” She gestures between us with her hand. “This doesn’t mean we’re attached in any way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a cab to catch.”

My eyes widen in disbelief. Did she just say that?

“You did not just say that to me,” I say slowly, the words barely leaving my lips.

Abby looks up, her eyes glassy now. “I did,” she says, her tone clipped with an edge I’ve never heard before. “I don’t want you in my hair about this.”

And with that, she brushes past me, her shoulder colliding with mine, and I have never seen her exude just raw emotions. I stand there, staring after her, speechless, until she gets into a cab.

I want to say something, but the words are failing me.

I step back, my mind reeling, the coffee beans long forgotten.

What’s gotten into her? I wonder as I slump onto the comfort of my couch.

Did I do something wrong? What could’ve made her say those things? What happened?

My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. I grab it, hoping it’s Abby apologizing, telling me she was just putting on a show for Beth. But no, it’s from Zack.

Zack: [I can’t wait to see you tonight.]

Great. Just what I need — more stress.

+++

Wellll.....?