I winked. “I’m full of surprises, sweetheart.”
While I rummaged through her fridge, pulling out pasta, veggies, and some chicken, Brittany perched on the counter, watching me with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
“So,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “Where’s Sylvia tonight?”
Brittany blinked, surprised. “You… know Sylvia?”
I shrugged, chopping bell peppers with practiced ease. “We’ve crossed paths.”
Her lips twitched. “That’s unexpected.”
I chuckled. “Hey, I’m not as antisocial as you think.”
“She’s at the university tonight,” Brittany murmured, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “One of her students is going through a rough time — something about family problems, grades slipping. She offered to stay on campus with them, help them sort it out.”
I glanced over, surprised by the warmth in her voice. “That’s… really good of her.”
Brittany smiled softly. “Yeah. That’s Sylvia. She always goes the extra mile.”
I stirred the sauce, feeling a strange pang of respect for this woman I barely knew. “Sounds like she’s a solid friend.”
“She is,” Brittany said quietly, her eyes distant for a moment. “She’s been there through some… really dark patches.”
I hesitated, heart squeezing. “I’m sorry you had to go through those without me.”
Her gaze flicked to mine, something unreadable passing between us — a flicker of old hurt, maybe, or longing, or both.
I cleared my throat, offering a small grin. “But hey, at least now you’ve got a guy who can fix your plumbing and make a killer carbonara.”
Brittany laughed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, eyes softening. “But you’re smiling.”
We ate dinner on the couch, plates balanced on our knees, laughing over stupid stories — the time I nearly set the dorm kitchen on fire, her disastrous attempt at baking cupcakes for a fundraiser. For a little while, it felt like the weight of everything between us lifted, just enough for us to breathe.
But eventually, the night had to end.
I stood by the door, slipping on my jacket, my heart a bittersweet knot in my chest. “Thanks for dinner,” Brittany said softly, her arms wrapped around herself.
“Anytime.” I smiled, brushing a stray hair from her cheek. “Really.”
I turned, reaching for the doorknob.
“Ace?”
Her voice was so soft I almost missed it.
I froze, heartbeat kicking up.
When I turned back, Brittany was standing just a few feet away, eyes wide, hands wringing nervously in front of her.
“I was thinking…” She licked her lips, voice trembling. “Maybe we could… start as friends?”
For a second, I just stared at her, the words not quite registering.
Then they hit me all at once.
My chest tightened, a strange, giddy warmth flooding through me. My face split into the most ridiculous grin, and before I could stop myself, a laugh burst out of me — not mocking, not sarcastic, but pure, unfiltered joy.
