Reymark and Rayne stood in front of Lianne’s apartment door, dressed in crisp button-down shirts and jeans. For the first time in years, they both felt slightly nervous.
“What’s the big deal?” Rayne muttered, adjusting his collar. “It’s just dinner.”
“Yeah, dinner with rules,” Reymark replied, running a hand through his hair. “No flirting, no fake charm. Just… being ourselves.”
Rayne grinned. “Well, I’m great at being me. You’re the one who’s been living off pickup lines.”
Before Reymark could respond, the door opened, and Jhenny greeted them with a wide smile. She wore a simple yet elegant green dress, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders. “Right on time. Points for punctuality.”
“Was there any doubt?” Rayne said, flashing her a grin.
Jhenny laughed. “Come on in. Lianne’s finishing up in the kitchen.”
The boys stepped inside and immediately took in the cozy but stylish apartment. It was an eclectic mix of Lianne’s sharp minimalism and Jhenny’s vibrant touch. A few art pieces adorned the walls, and the scent of something delicious wafted from the kitchen.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” Jhenny said, gesturing to the couch.
Reymark and Rayne sat down, but neither had a chance to relax. Moments later, Lianne walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of appetizers. She wore a fitted maroon blouse paired with dark jeans, her hair tied in a loose bun.
“You’re early,” she noted, setting the tray on the coffee table.
“Jhenny said we were right on time,” Reymark countered, smirking.
Lianne raised an eyebrow. “Smart mouth already, huh? Don’t get cocky—it’s still early.”
Rayne chuckled, leaning back on the couch. “This is going to be fun.”
***
Dinner was served soon after: a spread of roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, and a vibrant salad. The four of them sat around the dining table, the atmosphere lighter than either Reymark or Rayne had expected.
“So,” Jhenny began, pouring wine into their glasses. “Tell us something we don’t know about you two.”
Rayne shrugged. “We’re pretty much open books. What do you want to know?”
“Something real,” Lianne said, fixing her gaze on Reymark. “No jokes, no rehearsed stories. Just… who you are.”
Reymark paused, caught off guard. He wasn’t used to people asking questions like that—or meaning it.
“Uh, okay,” he said, setting down his fork. “I guess… I like photography. I used to sneak my dad’s camera when I was a kid and take pictures of random stuff—trees, sunsets, people on the street. Haven’t done it in a while, though.”
Jhenny’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s so cool! Why’d you stop?”
Reymark shrugged, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious. “Life got busy. Or maybe I just stopped making time for it.”
For a moment, the table was silent, and Lianne tilted her head slightly, as if seeing Reymark in a new light.
“What about you, Rayne?” Jhenny asked.
Rayne smirked. “I make a mean lasagna.”
Lianne rolled her eyes. “Wow. So deep.”
“Hey, cooking is an art,” Rayne said, holding up his hands defensively. “But if you want something deeper… I’ve got a younger sister. She’s in college now, studying architecture. Most of what I do is to make sure she has it easier than I did.”
Jhenny smiled warmly. “That’s sweet.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m a saint,” Rayne said, though his grin softened at the compliment.
***
As dinner wound down, the girls exchanged glances and nodded. Lianne folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. “Alright. Not bad so far. But now comes the next part.”
Reymark raised an eyebrow. “Which is?”
Jhenny grinned. “Dish duty. Let’s see if you two can handle cleaning up without whining.”
Rayne groaned theatrically but stood up anyway. “Fine. But if I break a dish, it’s not my fault.”
Lianne smirked. “Just don’t drop anything expensive.”
As the boys carried plates to the kitchen, Jhenny and Lianne stayed behind, lowering their voices.
“What do you think?” Jhenny asked.
“They’re trying,” Lianne admitted, her tone grudgingly approving. “But don’t let your guard down yet. The charm might still be an act.”
Jhenny smiled. “I don’t know. I think there’s more to them than they let on.”
Lianne glanced toward the kitchen, where Reymark was teasing Rayne about his clumsy drying skills. For a moment, she allowed herself to wonder if maybe—just maybe—this challenge might be worth it.
“Let’s see how long they last,” she said finally, taking a sip of her wine.
YOU ARE READING
Red Flags in the Rearview
Short StoryReymark and Rayne are two inseparable best friends who have built their friendship on being unapologetically themselves. Unfortunately, "themselves" means they're both walking red flags-cocky, flirty, and notorious for judging women by their looks a...
