Amara's POV
I was halfway through scheduling a new campaign on my laptop, legs curled up on the couch, oversized T-shirt sliding off one shoulder, when the doorbell rang.
My heart did a stupid little jump.
There's only one person who rings my doorbell exactly once and waits—patient but excited.
I hopped off the couch, smoothing my shirt as I hurried to the door. The moment I opened it, my breath hitched.
Juliana stood there looking… unfairly good.
Black trousers. A button-up shirt left untucked, the top button undone. Sleeves rolled halfway up her arms, showing off the veins I pretend not to stare at. Silver chain resting on her collarbone. A couple of rings catching the light. Hair brushed back messily like she'd tried but not too hard.
And in her hands—flowers in one, a box of cupcakes in the other.
I blinked. "What's all this?"
She smirked, that slow, dangerous kind. "Because I have an undying love for you…" She lifted the cupcakes slightly. "And because you lose your mind for anything with frosting."
I felt my cheeks heat. I stepped aside to let her in. She walked past me, smelling like mint and something warm I couldn't place.
While she set the cupcakes down on the kitchen counter, I tossed out the dying flowers in my old vase and replaced them with the fresh ones she brought. They smelled… beautiful, soft and sweet.
Unlike my ex who never once thought about anything I liked, Julian always paid attention—to everything.
I was still arranging the flowers when two arms slid around my waist. She spun me gently to face her and kissed me. And God, I melted into it. When we finally broke apart, our foreheads rested together, breathing the same air.
"I'm so lucky to have you," I whispered.
Juliana chuckled, brushing her thumb along my cheek. "No. I'm the lucky one."
"Really? How?"
"Because…" she lifted my chin. "You're the only person who makes me forget how exhausting the world is. And you make it feel safe. And warm. And annoyingly soft." She rolled her eyes playfully. "I hate being soft."
I laughed. "You love being soft. Don't lie."
She grinned. "Maybe. For you."
My heart fluttered shamelessly. "Do you want to watch something?"
She nodded. "As long as I get to hold you. That's the only requirement."
I took her hand and led her to the living room. We settled on the couch, her arm wrapping around my shoulder, my head resting comfortably against her. The movie played but honestly, the warmth of her chest rising and falling under my cheek was far more distracting.
Then my phone rang.
Jane.
I sighed softly and picked up.
"Hey, babe," I said gently, trying not to disturb Julian's hold.
Jane sounded tired. Heavy. "Amara… I don't know what to do anymore."
I kept my voice low. "Have you tried talking to him again? And I mean really talk to him? No backing down this time."
"I don't want to push him."
"You're not pushing him. You're his wife. You're allowed to want clarity." I breathed out. "Please don't take no for an answer this time. He'll keep shutting down if you let him."
We talked a bit more—just enough for me to hear the fear in her voice—and then she hung up.
I dropped the phone on my lap.
Juliana's fingers stroked my shoulder. "What's wrong?"
I shifted so I could look at her. "Jane. She's… going through it."
Juliana frowned. "Still about Henry?"
"Yeah." I studied her face. "Do you know why he's acting this way? She said he's been so distant."
Juliana shook her head. "No idea. He hasn't told me anything. And if he did, I wouldn't keep it from Jane—you know that."
I nodded slowly. "Are you sure?"
She held my gaze. "Amara, if I knew something serious, I'd tell you. Or I'd tell him to talk to her. But I don't know what's happening with him."
I sighed, leaning back against her. "It feels scary. For her."
Juliana wrapped both arms around me this time, holding me closer. "She'll be fine. And she's not alone."
I smiled faintly, letting her warmth calm me.
"Yeah," I murmured. "She has us."