The radio played softly in the background, a perfect soundtrack to the lazy evening they were sharing. They didn't need much. Not really. Their friendship had always been enough.
"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love?" Olivia asked, her voice drifting up through the stillness.
Emily glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Where did that come from?"
Olivia shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. "I don't know. It just seems like everyone around us has it. The movies, the books, hell, even our parents. I mean, don't you ever wish we had someone special in our lives?"
Emily leaned back in the couch, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass absentmindedly. "Of course I do. But we're fine. We've got each other, right?"
A soft smile tugged at Olivia's lips, but there was something behind it, something wistful, almost sad. "Yeah, we've got each other."
The words hung in the air, thick with unspoken things. Neither of them was ready to admit that their shared lives-filled with laughter, late-night talks, and the occasional heartbreak from a failed date-felt like it was missing something. Or rather, someone.
"You know," Emily said, trying to break the tension, "I think we're good just the way we are. Who needs a man when we've got our own little world?"
Olivia snorted, her eyes flicking over to Emily. "You sound like one of those self-help books I've been reading. Next thing you'll tell me is that we should stop worrying about love and focus on our careers or something."
Emily laughed, her gaze turning toward the window. The city was bustling below, but up here, in their little corner of the world, things felt simple. Easy. "Maybe I should. At least we've got everything we need right here. Besides, I'm not about to let a guy come between us."
Olivia's smile faltered, but Emily didn't notice. Her mind was already drifting to thoughts of another night-another routine in their friendship. The pizza delivery would come, they'd argue about the toppings, and they'd end the night watching a rom-com, both pretending that they didn't want what the characters had.
No one needed to know about the yearning that lived beneath the surface.
The weekend arrived with a crispness in the air, a gentle reminder that autumn was settling in for good. Emily had always loved this time of year. The world seemed to slow down, the colors of the leaves turning from green to gold, creating a natural canvas of breathtaking beauty. But something felt different today, something she couldn't quite place.
She opened the door of the café where she and Olivia had agreed to meet, the bell above the door chiming softly as she entered. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her, making her feel momentarily at peace. Olivia was already sitting at their usual table, her phone in hand, staring at the screen with an intensity that Emily hadn't seen before.
"Hey," Emily greeted, sliding into the chair opposite Olivia.
Olivia glanced up, offering a distracted smile. "Hey. You'll never guess what happened last night."
Emily arched an eyebrow. "What?"
Olivia leaned forward, lowering her voice just a bit, as if afraid someone might overhear. "I met someone."
A small flutter of excitement stirred in Emily's chest, but she quickly brushed it aside. "Who? And when? You didn't mention anything about going on a date."
Olivia's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "I didn't. It wasn't a date, but I met this guy, Noah, at a party. I don't know... there's just something about him."
Emily's heart skipped a beat. She had heard her friend talk about countless guys over the years, but there was a different energy in Olivia's voice now-something Emily couldn't quite explain.
"Tell me more," Emily said, leaning forward, her curiosity piqued.
"He's amazing, Em," Olivia said, her eyes lighting up. "We had this instant connection, you know? The way he looks at you, like you're the only person in the room. He's got these deep brown eyes, and he's so... intense, but in the best way. And when he talks, it's like you can't look away." Olivia paused, as if to catch her breath. "I don't know. It was like time stopped when we started talking. I feel like I've known him forever."
Emily's pulse quickened, but she pushed the feeling down. "Sounds like someone's got a crush," she teased, trying to keep things light.
Olivia laughed softly, but there was something wistful about her tone. "Maybe. I just... I don't know what it is about him, but I can't stop thinking about him. I haven't felt this way in a long time."
"Well, if you like him, you should go for it," Emily said, trying to sound nonchalant, though there was a tightening in her chest that she couldn't ignore. "Is he single?"
Olivia nodded. "Yeah, I think so. But that's not the weirdest part. He said he was coming to town for a few weeks, and then he was leaving again. He's not staying here long."
"Sounds like a temporary thing," Emily said, trying to make sense of the situation. "Well, you know what they say. Enjoy it while it lasts."
Olivia smiled, but there was an unreadable expression in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess. But there's something about him, Em. Something that feels... different."
Later that evening, Emily was at home, scrolling through social media on her phone, when she received a message from Olivia. The text read: Noah asked me out for coffee tomorrow. I think I might be falling for him.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, but for a moment, she couldn't bring herself to reply. The knot in her stomach tightened, and she had to swallow the feeling that was rising in her throat. She told herself it wasn't jealousy, that it was just surprise, that Olivia was simply the one who had found someone first. But deep down, Emily knew it wasn't that simple.
Noah. The guy who had taken up space in both of their lives in such a short amount of time. Emily had seen him at the party, of course-how could she not? He had been charming, effortlessly cool, with a smile that could melt anyone's defenses. He had greeted her politely, but his attention was always focused on Olivia, and Emily had smiled, thinking it was just another crush Olivia would get over. After all, it wasn't the first time she'd seen Olivia fall hard for someone.
But something about Noah lingered in her thoughts. She had dismissed it at the time, but now... now it felt different.
She texted Olivia back, trying to keep her voice casual. That's great. I hope it goes well. Let me know how it goes, okay?
A few minutes later, Olivia replied: I will. But I think he's different. I really do.
Emily set her phone down and exhaled, the feeling in her chest still lingering, heavier than she wanted to admit.
The storm was coming. She could feel it in the air. And she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
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