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"You think Laila's gotten hotter recently?" Rafe asked scrolling through her insta.

"Rafe." Topper deadpanned, pausing his weight lifting "Move on" he laughed, continuing.

Rafe shrugged, still fixated on Laila's pictures. "I mean, she looks great. Can't help but notice." he spoke zooming in.

Topper rolled his eyes, setting down the weights. "Dude, she's not just a pretty face. Plus, you're with someone."

"Someone's still hasn't gotten over their cheating trauma," Rafe laughed as Topper rolled his eyes "And I can appreciate beauty without stepping out of line," Rafe replied, a smirk on his face.

"Just don't get too caught up in it, man. There are more important things than scrolling through her feed," Topper said, trying to steer the conversation back to the workout.

"Alright, alright," Rafe conceded, but the grin lingered on his face as he glanced back at the screen one last time.

"I'm literally boiling," Laila sighed, shielding her face with her hand as she slumped into the deck chair. She and Stephanie were enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the backyard.

"Here you go, babe!" Stephanie chimed, presenting her a beautifully decorated cocktail. Laila's face lit up with a smile. "Thank youuu!"

"Also, my cousin is on the way," Stephanie added quickly, taking a sip of her drink, hoping Laila wouldn't catch on.

"What?" Laila exclaimed, sitting up straight.

"I mean, you're still hung up on Rafe, and I just... wanted to help?" Her voice rose slightly as she finished, prompting Laila to scoff defensively. "I am not stuck on Rafe," she insisted, trying to convince herself, but Stephanie shot her a knowing side-eye. "Whatever."

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Stephanie grinned, making Laila chuckle.

"He's here!" Stephanie called out after glancing at her phone, a smirk spreading across her face.

Laila's heart raced as she processed Stephanie's words. "Wait, what do you mean he's here?" she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Just what I said ho, He just messaged me that he's parked out front with a friend," Stephanie replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Sensing a two man, and not sure if I'm feeling it" she muttered, glancing around the backyard as if it might somehow provide her with a distraction. "Can't we just enjoy our drinks and forget about them for a bit?"

Stephanie laughed, "Not a chance! You've been moping about Rafe for months. This is your chance to move. on."

"I've been moved on." Laila shot back.

"Come on," Stephanie encouraged, nudging her playfully. "Besides, you might even have fun"

With a resigned sigh, Laila pushed herself up from the chair and smoothed her hair back. "Fine."

Stephanie grinned, her excitement infectious.

Hurrying off they stopped just before opening the door, Stephanie turning to Laila "Wait, I'm scared."