The soft hum of the fridge was the only sound in the apartment, except for the faint rustle of paper when Amy turned another page of her book.
The morning sun cut in at an angle through the blinds, striping the couch in warm, golden light.
On her lap sat a hardcover novel, the one Ethan had given her just yesterday saying a character reminded him of her. She wasn't sure if she had seen a reason to believe him but she'd barely noticed when the night bled into morning and she'd fallen asleep right there, curled into the corner of the couch, still wearing yesterday's sweater.
The door opened without warning.
Sophie breezed in like she owned the place.
"Good morning," she sang out, toeing off her shoes. Her gaze swept the room, landing on Amy. "Oh my God… please tell me you didn't sleep on that couch."
Amy lowered the book just enough to peek over the top. "…Maybe."
Sophie, already halfway to the kitchen, gave her a dramatic gasp. "Tragic. Absolutely tragic. You own a perfectly good bed."
Amy smirked faintly. "Beds are overrated."
"Beds," Sophie said, pulling open a cabinet without looking, "are the unpraised heroes of modern civilization. Do you know how many people in history would have killed for...oh thank God, bananas."
She snatched one from the fruit bowl, peeling it as she continued her tirade. "Sleeping on couches is how you get a stiff neck."
Amy rolled her eyes. "I was reading."
"Reading is what you do for an hour before bed. Not until the clock screams 3:47 AM and your spine folds into origami." Sophie took a bite, pointing at her with the banana like it was a lecture stick. "What's the book?"
"The Quiet Between Stars."
"You just got it?"
"Ethan gave it to me"
Sophie's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh from Mr. Associate"
"Will you stop calling him that?"
"No because its funny and deeply accurate" Sophie leaned against the counter, chewing. "So? Any progress in the rom-com subplot of your life?"
Amy hesitated for half a beat, then set the book down on her lap.
"We… almost kissed," she said quietly.
Sophie froze mid-bite. Slowly, she lowered the banana, her eyes wide like she heard a foreign language. "I'm sorry...what?!"
Amy's lips twitched nervously.
"Tell me you're joking," Sophie said, already crossing the space between them, banana forgotten on the counter. She perched on the edge of the couch like the news was too fragile to hear from across the room.
"I'm not," Amy said. "We were… right there. But I couldn't do it. I pulled back."
Sophie searched her face, as if hoping to find some hidden punchline. "Do you… like him?"
Silence stretched. Amy's eyes shifted away, down to her hands in her lap. Sophie gave her a little nudge with her knee.
"Do you??"
"Only as a friend," Amy said finally. "Nothing else."
Sophie let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, leaning back into the couch cushion. "Thank God. I was about to be heartbroken on Jace's behalf."
Amy gave her a puzzled look. "Heartbroken?"
"Yes, because if you told me you had feelings for Ethan, I would have had to schedule an emotional recovery period for both of us." Sophie softened, her voice dipping lower. "Do you… still love Jace?"
Amy didn't hesitate this time. "Yes." She stared at her hands, twisting them in her lap. "I haven't stopped thinking about him. Not once. Not from the day I asked for a break. I want him. I always have. But I'm… almost certain he's moved on."
The confession hung between them, fragile and unguarded.
Sophie's lips parted before she could stop herself, the words slipping out in a whisper: "He still loves you."
Amy's brow furrowed. "What?"
"Nothing," Sophie said quickly, sitting back and shaking her head. "Forget it."
She busied herself reaching for a pillow, fiddling with the corner. "Look, I'm just saying.....life's too short not to figure things out before they slip away."
Amy gave her a small, skeptical look. "You're acting weird."
"That's because I am weird." Sophie straightened suddenly, a spark lighting her expression. "Speaking of which, I need a favour."
Amy frowned. "We were literally just talking about..."
"And we can keep talking about it later...," Sophie interrupted. "I need you to stand in for me at something this afternoon," Sophie continued "I helped set up a little thing for a friend.....big deal for them.....and I promised I'd be there. But I have to make a pitch at work, so… you're my stand-in."
Amy blinked. "Stand in? For what?"
"Nothing complicated. Just… be there, make sure things run smooth, smile politely if anyone talks to you. I'll explain the rest later." Sophie waved her hand like it was all very casual. "It's at a little gallery space on the corner of Lark Street. White brick building with these tall windows....can't miss it. Be there by five."
Amy narrowed her eyes. "That sounds shady."
"It's not shady, it's charming," Sophie insisted.
"A gallery thing huh?...I could just wear my jeans and...."
"Absolutely not." Sophie shot up from the couch. "If you're representing me, you are not showing up in casual. You're showing up looking like you own the place."
Amy groaned. "Sophie...."
"Nope. I'm picking your outfit."
She disappeared into Amy's bedroom, her voice echoing down the hall. "This is for my reputation, Ames! My brand! We're talking high stakes."
By the time she returned, she was holding a dress like it was a weapon in a duel.
Amy stared. "That's…"
"Perfect.....I know right," Sophie finished for her. "The waist tie will really show off your hourglass figure"
"Don't you think it's a bit too much?"
"It's not"
Amy gave a small laugh. "You've obviously thought about this way too much."
"That's because I care," Sophie said, tossing the dress into her lap. "Now, shower, do your hair, maybe even mascara if you're feeling dangerous. Represent me well."
Amy sighed but traced the silky fabric with her fingers. "Fine."
Sophie grinned. "That's my girl. Oh, and don't be late. Five o'clock sharp."
Amy didn't know it yet, but Sophie was practically vibrating with anticipation for what that five o'clock would bring.