𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎, 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙤

( Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out! For starters, it was really hard to organize, I knew my plan but the execution was difficult. Then, school started which was a huge setback. So, I'm sorry for the wait and here's the long awaited next chapter! There will be one posted sooner rather than later, I promise! This chapter is a little slow, but the next one will pick up the pace. Thank you all again for the support & love. )

The cold autumn winds whipped through the narrow New York streets, tugging at your coat and sending a shiver down your spine. Your heart felt as cold as the weather as you walked away from the shattered remnants of your relationship. With a swift motion, you wiped the warm tears off your cheeks, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm yourself down.

Your hands dig in your coat pocket, gripping around the cool metal of your phone. You shakily swiped the screen up, unlocking the phone, where you were met with a lock screen of you and Lou. You had always loved that photo. It was taken at the bar, around two in the morning, and the both of you were wasted. The photo was slightly blurry but you were still able to see the goofy smiles across both of your faces. Your bottom lip quivered slightly as you looked at it. It had been two years since you'd seen it. You tap the green phone button, dialing a number.

After a few rings, a warm voice answered. "(y/n), darling, is that you?"

You took a shaky inhale, nodding your head into the phone. "Hi Rose," you reply, your voice slightly cracking.

"Oh my god, you're out! How are you doing?"

You couldn't help but smile at the warm Irish voice. You had missed Rose so much. She used to visit every week with Lou, but her business began to boom, leaving her with little to no free time. And no matter how many times you reassured her it was fine, she would frown and tell you to quit making excuses for her. The effort counted in your eyes, so you weren't complaining. Taking another deep breath, you slightly shivered at the cool gust of wind. "I broke up with Lou."

A silence fell between the two of you, causing you to inwardly cringe. You should've softened the blow. 'I'm doing well, but undeniably terrified about how much the world changed, and to find out my fiancé cheated on me! How are you?' Rose shuffles on the other end of the phone. "I'm so sorry (y/n)," she whispers, her voice dripping with empathy.

Closing your eyes, you exhaled. You felt embarrassed about asking for help. "Is there—"

"Do you need somewhere to stay? I have an empty apartment and a spare room." Rose interrupts, causing you to open your eyes.

You smile. "That would be incredible."

Rose gives you her address, which happened to be a couple of streets over from where you were walking. She insisted that you go stay with her, dismissing any of your hesitations or lingering feelings of guilt. "Just bring yourself. Come here and we'll crack open a bottle of wine."

------

"You were saving this bottle just for me?" you inquired, holding a very pricey bottle of red wine up to your eye line, reading the hard-to-pronounce French label.

"Of course," Lou smiles at you, taking the bottle from your hands. "You're the only one I'd drink it with." She presses up against your back, her body instantly warming yours.

You turn your head slightly and smile back at Lou. "You spoil me rotten, Lou Miller."

A small chuckle escapes Lou's crimson-painted lips. "There's only more where that comes from," she whispers into your ear. Her free hand wraps around your hand, gently leading you out of the stock room and back into the bar.