𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐓𝐖𝐎

THE REST OF THE WEEK flew by, and before Emberly knew it, Saturday had arrived. She slung her gym bag over her shoulder and headed downstairs, the faint hum of conversation drawing her toward the kitchen. She had just finished packing for a day at Olivia's. Her friend only lived a block away but Olivia was still coming by to pick her up. 

At the counter, Mark and Jessica were chatting while their housekeeper, Lana, set a plate of food in front of Mark. Lana had been with their family for years, transitioning from an extra pair of hands to someone who felt like family.

"Hey, Lana." Emberly smiled warmly.

"Good afternoon, sweetheart," Lana replied.

"Want some lunch before you head out?" Jessica asked, glancing up.

Emberly shook her head. "No thanks. Olivia's picking me up. I'll eat at her place."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't walk? She's just a block away."

"She insisted. And I'm not about to argue," Emberly replied with a grin.

A car horn honked outside.

"That's her. Later, guys!" she called, heading out the door.

Sliding into Olivia's car, Emberly tossed her bag into the backseat.

"You know you could've walked," Olivia teased, pulling out of the driveway.

"First of all, you were already out. Second, have you felt this LA heat? Finally, you love being my personal Lyft driver because you adore me." Emberly grinned.

"Not even close." Olivia shook her head, but her lips twitched.

"Denial looks good on you," Emberly said, slumping back dramatically.

Olivia chuckled, but her laughter softened as she cleared her throat. Her expression turned slightly serious. "So... can I ask you something?"

Emberly sat up, instantly on alert. "Judging by that tone, it's either juicy gossip or something you've been overthinking. Spill."

"It's about Spencer."

Emberly raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Go on."

"Is there... more going on there?" Olivia asked, her words tentative but probing.

A groan escaped Emberly as she threw her head back. "Oh, god. No. Why is this everyone's favorite question?"

"Because you two don't act like just friends," Olivia pressed. "Are you sure you're not secretly dating and just hiding it from everyone?"

Emberly burst out laughing. "The only secret relationship I have is with my latest TV boyfriend. Friends? Yes. Couple? Absolutely not. And how can you even assume that? You've only just met him."

"There's a vibe. And you can't expect me to believe there's never been anything. No sparks? Not even once?"

Emberly sighed, her laughter fading. "Fine. If it'll shut you up—yes, we kissed once. But it was eons ago, and it doesn't count."

Olivia's eyes widened. "Ha! I knew it!"

"Calm down, Sherlock." Emberly rolled her eyes. "We were kids, okay? Neither of us knew how to kiss, and we figured it'd be better to practice with each other than risk embarrassment later. It was a five-second peck—no fireworks, no feelings, nothing. Just a dumb, curious moment."

"So, basically, you recreated Love and Basketball?" Olivia asked, smirking as she pulled into her driveway.

"Oh my god, we did." Emberly laughed. "Great movie, though. We should watch it for movie night."