Rivals Redemption

chapter 33 : Spill the tea, babe

Tina Diaz

Back to present

Sitting at our usual café, the buzz of conversation and clinking of coffee cups surrounded me, but I barely registered it. My mind was still preoccupied with everything that had happened with Rowan. Just a few hours ago, we'd shared something incredible, yet now I was left feeling vulnerable, a swirl of excitement and apprehension clashing within me.

"Earth to Tina!" Grace's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

I blinked, looking around at my friends. Grace was leaning forward, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Lemi sat beside her, flipping her hair back dramatically, while Sevia casually stirred her coffee, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Sorry, what did I miss?" I asked, forcing a smile.

"Oh, just the latest on Lemi's beauty sessions with Aiden," Grace replied, barely suppressing a laugh.

"Don't even start," Lemi groaned, rolling her eyes. "It was just a simple makeup tutorial-nothing scandalous."

"Scandalous? You mean the way he bats his eyelashes at you like he's auditioning for a romance movie?" Grace shot back, her laughter infectious.

I couldn't help but join in. Aiden Finn, with his charm and flirtatious nature, was known for his talent in computer science and his talent for wooing women. But everyone in our friend group knew he was more of a playboy than a serious relationship material. The way he interacted with Lemi was particularly entertaining to watch, especially since she was usually so composed and self-assured.

"Yeah, right," Sevia chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I swear, I could see the heart eyes from across the room when you two were practicing."

Lemi's cheeks flushed

Lemi leaned back in her chair, a playful glint in her eyes as she prepared to tease us with more details. "Alright, fine. So, Aiden and I had this little 'makeover' session, right? And he was all about making me look 'fabulous' for the fashion show."

"Fabulous?" Grace raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What does that even mean? Was he actually helpful or just flirting?"

"Both, I think," Lemi admitted, a grin spreading across her face. "He was surprisingly good at choosing colors that complemented my skin tone. But he also kept making those ridiculous comments like, 'Oh, Lemi, you'd look even better with my special touch,' and it was infuriatingly charming."

I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Aiden's smooth lines. "He really knows how to play it up, doesn't he?"

"Totally," Lemi agreed, her tone shifting to a more serious note. "But here's the thing-when he was helping me, it felt different. Like, it wasn't just him trying to impress me. He was genuinely interested in what I thought about the colors and the styles. It was nice to feel like he valued my opinion."

"Wait, wait, wait," Sevia interrupted, leaning in closer. "Are you saying that Aiden might actually be serious about you?"

Lemi shrugged, a hint of uncertainty crossing her features. "I don't know. I mean, he's a flirt, but sometimes I wonder if there's more to him than just the playboy image. We talked about fashion, our dreams, and even our backgrounds. It felt... real."

"Now you've got me curious," I said, glancing at Grace and Sevia, who wore matching expressions of intrigue. "What else did he say?"

Lemi hesitated, biting her lip. "Well, he mentioned how much he respects creative people. He said something like, 'Fashion isn't just clothes; it's a way to express who you are,' which I found really refreshing coming from him. He actually seemed to get it."

"That does sound surprisingly deep for Aiden," Grace teased, but there was a note of sincerity in her voice. "Do you think he's actually into you?"

"Maybe," Lemi said, her smile faltering slightly. "But I'm not sure if I want to get my hopes up. I mean, he's Aiden Finn. Everyone knows he's a heartbreaker."

"Isn't that part of the thrill?" I interjected, feeling a surge of support for my friend. "Maybe you should just go with the flow and see where it leads. You deserve someone who can appreciate your talent."

Lemi looked thoughtful. "You're right. I guess I could use a little fun in my life. But I'm still going to keep my guard up."

"That's smart," Sevia said. "Just don't let it stop you from enjoying yourself. Life's too short to overthink every detail."

"Exactly!" Grace chimed in, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "And if Aiden ends up being a jerk, you can always tell us, and we'll be right there to drag you out of the heartbreak pit."

"Thanks for the support, ladies," Lemi replied, rolling her eyes but smiling. "I'll keep you posted if things progress."

As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, I felt a warmth spread through me. My friends were right. Lemi deserved to enjoy herself, and so did I. With everything swirling around in my head regarding Rowan, I knew I had to find a way to embrace the unknown. After all, our lives were just beginning to unfold in ways we could never have anticipated.

"Alright, who's up for dessert?" I asked, trying to steer us into a celebratory mood. "I think we could all use a little sugar boost after that gossip session."

"Dessert sounds perfect," Grace agreed, her eyes lighting up. "I want something decadent!"

"I'll take whatever has chocolate," Lemi added, her earlier hesitation disappearing as her excitement returned.

"Chocolate it is!" I laughed, my heart feeling a little lighter. As we placed our orders, I knew that whatever was happening with Rowan, I had the support of my amazing friends to help me navigate it.