Luminary Love

Chapter 10

"I can't believe you've never seen The Grand Budapest Hotel." Shayne exclaimed, walking with you to your front door.

"I've always wanted to see it! I just never got around to it." You defended, sipping on your iced coffee.

"Unbelievable..." Shayne shook his head at you. "It's a masterpiece."

"God, you sound like every film school guy..." You muttered. Shayne snapped his head towards you, his mouth hanging agape.

"That's Pulp Fiction. Thank you very much." He said matter-of-factly, narrowing his eyes at you.

"Oh, okay..." You rolled your eyes, laughing at your friend.

The two of you had spent that morning at the gym together, venturing out into that environment for the first time since COVID happened. It was nice to have a gym buddy where you didn't feel like you had to focus on keeping your figure for the show. It wasn't always like that with Sabrina, but there was still that unconscious urge to really work around her. With Shayne, it wasn't like that. It was comfortable. You were just working out because you wanted to and it made you both feel good. Zero pressure. In fact, there was never any pressure between you and Shayne. It was that odd phenomenon where you were just instantly comfortable with him upon hanging out for the first time.

"Hey!" A voice sounded from behind you. You turned around to see Jade jogging up your sidewalk. She cocked her head at you, looking more than amused at catching you with Shayne. You furrowed your eyebrows before it dawned on you.

"Oh shit! It's Friday!" You exclaimed, looking over to Shayne wide-eyed. "I gotta go. Girls day." You said, placing a hand on his bicep. Shayne looked at Jade, who stood with her arms crossed.

"Oh my god, yeah!" He said, his gaze shifted rapidly between the two of you before nodding. "I didn't realize..." He went down your front steps, extending his hand towards Jade. "I'm Shayne."

"I know." She smirked, taking his hand. "I've heard a lot about you." You stood behind Shayne, widening your eyes at her, mouthing profanities. Shayne looked back at you, making you stand up straight and put on a happy face.

"Well, I'll let you girls get to it." He smiled at Jade before turning back to you. "I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked, pointing to you. You nodded, sending a warm smile his way. "Cool." He returned it, beginning down the sidewalk again. "It was nice to meet you!" He smiled, passing Jade.

"Likewise." She said, biting back a smile. She flashed her eyebrows at you, looking over her shoulder at the blonde. She took the few remaining steps towards you before returning her attention to you. Shayne honked his car horn as he pulled away from the curb. You sighed.

"Don't say it." You said, wordlessly inviting her in.

"Don't say what?" Jade smirked, closing the door behind her. You entered your kitchen, dumping out the extra ice from your cup into the sink. Jade sat down at your counter, picking up an orange from the bowl that sat in the middle of the table. She began peeling the thick exterior of the fruit, laying the scraps in front of her. "So how many times have you hung out since the hike last month?" She smirked, putting one of the slices in her mouth. You washed out your cup, setting it on the side of the sink to dry and shifting so you were looking at her. You leaned against the ledge of the counter, crossing your arms and staring at your feet. Your teeth sunk down into your bottom lip, attempting to bite back a smile.

"Every day..." You admitted, peeking up at her through your lashes. Jade's brows shot up, her face shifting to one of surprise and pride. "Shayne makes it a point to at least call me and see how my day was everyday. It's really nice..." Your voice trailed off, your shoes suddenly becoming incredibly interesting.