𝐌𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 | 𝖩𝗈𝖻𝖾 𝖡𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗁𝖺𝗆

⁰¹. 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗂𝗆𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━   𝖳𝖧𝖨𝖱𝖣 𝖯𝖤𝖱𝖲𝖮𝖭

ETHAN STARED AT his best friend like she'd just said the most absurd thing in the world. Layla, however, simply sat there, a sly smile on her face. Alex glanced between them, puzzled. This was what Ethan had wanted, so why was he acting like Alex had said something insulting?

"What made you change your mind?" he asked, his tone edged with curiosity.

The answer was obvious, even if she wouldn't admit it outright. Alex didn't want to be at home. Sure, she liked the idea of home, but the reality was far less appealing—empty rooms and silence, with her mom always away working tirelessly to provide for her.

Alex also wanted to help provide for her mom. Her mom never forced her to work, but Alex knew it was better if she did. Besides, her mom didn't want her sitting around the house all day—she always said it wasn't healthy.

Alex let out a dramatic sigh, glancing at her two best friends. "Life," she said with mock solemnity.

Layla, still smiling, shook her head. "Shut up."

"Really? Life?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Alex. But despite his teasing tone, a smile crept onto his face. "I'm so glad you finally want to join us."

Alex rolled her eyes, though a small grin tugged at her lips. "Don't make it a big deal, Ethan. It's just a job."

"Just a job?" Layla chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've been avoiding it for months, and now suddenly, you're in? This is a big deal."

"Okay, fine," Alex said, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "It's a big deal. Happy?"

"Ecstatic," Ethan said, his smile widening. "Seriously though, you'll love it. And if not, well... you've got us."

Alex smirked. "Yeah, lucky me."

"You might find the love of your life," Layla teased, smirking as she leaned back in her chair.

Ethan groaned, rolling his eyes. "No, she will not. These celebrities look down on you. Trust me, they're not worth it."

Alex blinked, suddenly remembering she'd be serving celebrities at this new job. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind until now. "I don't want a famous boyfriend," she said firmly. "Actually, I don't want a boyfriend at all."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, but Layla cut him off before he could speak. "Shut up, Ethan," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "For the record, I found the love of my life."

Ethan smirked. "No, you didn't. You saw the love of your life. There's a difference."

Layla narrowed her eyes at him, pointing a finger. "Details, Ethan. Details."