𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝐊𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐈𝐗

Maxine's POV

I tried to plug along at work the week leading up to Theo's arrival, but at night, I lay awake staring at the ceiling, replaying old conversations in my head, and reliving moments that I felt didn't fit into my life.

Damian was my constant, her dry wit and quiet reassurances pulling me back from the brink when my anxiety threatened to swallow me whole.

That day arrived, and I was not so sure if I was prepared. Damian collected me one more time, and as calm as she appeared to be, it made me jealous of her.

"You've got this," Damian said as we pulled into the parking lot of her building.

"Do I?" I asked half-joking, half-serious.

"Max, you're one of the bravest people I know. Trust me, you can handle a little reunion."

"Bravery and anxiety aren't mutually exclusive," I muttered, earning a laugh from her.

"Fair enough," Damian said, grinning. "But you're stronger than you think. And if it gets awkward, I'll throw Jarvie under the bus. He'll love the attention."

Her humor eased the tension coiling in my chest, but my nerves returned in full force as we stepped into her apartment.

Warm lights, touches of Damian's signature style-eclectic but thoughtful-were interspersed throughout the space. Soothing music played in the background and freshly brewed coffee smelled in the air.

"Make yourself at home," Damian said, flashing me a grin. "They'll be here soon."

I settled onto the edge of the couch, my hands fussing over each other in my lap. Then came what felt like hours while minutes ticked by until the doorbell sounded.

Damian opened the door, and there they were.

Theo walked in first, her presence commanding as always. Her amber eyes scanned the room before landing on me. For a moment, neither of us moved, the weight of years spent apart settling heavily between us.

Jarvie followed close behind, his broad grin and casual energy lighting up the room. "Maxine!" She boomed, pulling me into a bear hug. "You look great!"

"Jarvie," I said finally, smiling despite myself. "It's good to see you."

Savannah was next. Her elegance was like warmth to me. She hugged me gently. "You haven't changed a bit," she said, smiling her warm genuine affection.

Theo stood by the door, near rigid and impossible to read. When our eyes met again, she gave a small nod. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Damian, sensing the tension, jumped into action. "Alright, people! Drinks are in the kitchen, snacks are on the table, and I've got a killer playlist ready to go. Let's get this party started!"

The chatter and laughter brought the room to life. Jarvie's reminiscences, laced with his usual panache, filled the space, and Savannah came in with her sharp wit at just the right junctures.

I still couldn't help but focus on Theo, who had stationed herself by the window, a vivid scrutiny of the neon lights of the city.

Damian nudged me to the side as she passed, whispering, "You're staring."

"She's different," I murmured.

"So are you," Damian said, her voice soft. "Go talk to her."

I wanted to fade into the background and pretend this wasn't happening, but Damian's gentle words gave me the push I needed. Breathing in deep, I crossed the room toward Theo.

"Hey," I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

Her eyes flicked to me, guarded but curious. "Hey.

I looked out the window and watched how the city lights blurred into a comforting glow. "It's been a while," I said, and the words fell flat.

"Yes," she said, her tone clipped.

The silence between us was thick, each waiting for the other to speak.

It was finally I mustered the strength to say what had been weighing on me for years.

"I missed you, Theo," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to me completely, those amber eyes scanning mine. "You have an odd way of proving it," she said, her voice tinged with just the slightest edge.

"I know," I said, moving fast to choke off the guilt. "I-I was afraid. I didn't know how to make things right, so I.I stayed away from you instead. It was wrong, and I'm sorry.

A softened expression crossed Theo's face, but there was still a full stopping wall between her and the rest of the world.

"Jarvie and Savannah already know how much I worried over you," she said, softly. "Even after everything, I couldn't stop thinking how you were doing.

Her words hit me like a tidal wave, the weight of her concern both comforting and heartbreaking. "I didn't deserve that," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I pushed you away, and you still cared."

"Of course I cared," she said, her voice rising slightly. "You were my best friend, Maxine. That doesn't just disappear, no matter how messy things get."

Her honesty left me breathless. For years, I'd convinced myself that Theo had moved on, that I was nothing more than a painful memory she'd left behind. Hearing her admit otherwise was both a relief and a reminder of everything I'd lost.

"I don't know how to fix this," I admitted, my hands twisting nervously. "But I want to try."

Theo looked at me for what felt like a long moment, without saying anything. Then she nodded. "We'll do it one step at a time," she said. "That's all we can do."

I felt a flicker of hope, a small but living thing. "Thanks," I said softly.

"Don't thank me yet," she said with a faint smile twisting her mouth.

Before we could say more, Jarvie's voice cut in. "Hey, you two! Quit hogging the view and come join us!"

Theo chuckled, her voice much lighter than I had ever expected. "Guess we're being summoned."

"Guess so," I agreed, my chest feeling a little less heavy.

As we rejoined the group, the tension that had hung between us began to lift as something new tentatively began to begin. For the first time in years, it seemed there might be a possibility to rebuild-not just with Theo but with all of them.

And as the night went on I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this past didn't have to define us.