I sat there, arms folded tight on my chest, spine straight as a rod, eyes squeezed shut, trying to block out the noisy buzz of the hotel restaurant. Sara's voice cut through it all like a damn megaphone and I took a deep breath, willing myself to relax. Low chance with her around.
"So, how are you doing these days, Aeri?" Sara asked, leaning forward over the table, her red dress rustling as she propped her chin on her hand. Her tone was casual, but it bugged me—she talked to Aeri on the phone damn near every week, so she already knew everything.
Aeri shifted beside me, her knee brushing mine under the table. "I'm good, good—just figuring out life as usual, hehe," she said, her voice light but edged with a tense smile.
"Oh, come on," Sara said, waving a hand like she was swatting away Aeri's words. "Get married already! You aren't even working, and this *baby* can take care of himself now—he's an adult." She jerked her head toward me, her lips curling into a smirk.
My nerves twitched hard, a jolt of irritation sparking under my skin. I shot her a glare, sharp and cold, my jaw tightening as I met her stare.
She made a face back—disgusted, exaggerated, her nose wrinkling like I was something she'd stepped in. I could feel the heat rising in my chest, but I forced it down, exhaling slow through my nose.
Stretching this out with her wasn't worth it—she'd just get louder, and I'd end up looking like the asshole. I leaned back in my chair, hands still folded, keeping my cool.
"Ahh... stop it, Sara," Aeri said, her voice softening as she looked down at the table, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "I don't want to get married yet—I'm a little confused still, you know? And more than that..." She paused, then turned to me, her hand clutching my arm in a warm, loving grip. "I love taking care of my baby." She brushed her fingers through my hair, messing up the neat way I'd set it earlier, her touch gentle and familiar. It got all tousled, strands falling into my eyes, but I didn't care—it was Aeri, and that made it okay.
I coughed, straightening up quick, brushing her hand off as I grabbed my water glass.
"I'm not a baby," I said, my voice firm, taking a sip to cover the flush creeping up my neck. The cool water slid down my throat, grounding me, but I could feel Sara's eyes on me, waiting to pounce.
She let out a loud *pfft*, then erupted into laughter, her head tipping back as she cackled. "Look how serious he got over it—bwahahahaha!" Her laugh was obnoxious, booming across the table, loud enough to make heads turn from nearby tables—some annoyed, some amused, all staring at us now. Her fiancé, Daniel, shifted in his seat, offering a small, awkward smile to the room like an apology.
"Tch," I clicked my tongue, turning my head away, irritation prickling under my skin. I stared at the wall, the fancy gold trim blurring as I tuned her out, my hands clenching in my lap.
Aeri's fingers lingered on my arm, a quiet anchor, and I could hear her sigh beside me, caught between laughing it off and Sara.
"Alright, alright, enough," Aeri said, her tone light but firm, squeezing my arm a little tighter. "Let's just order food, okay? No more baby talk." She shot Sara a look, half-playful, half-warning, and I smirked to myself, grateful she had my back—even if she'd started the whole "baby" thing in the first place.
"Calm down, calm down, Sara," Aeri said, her voice cutting through the noise with a mix of amusement and urgency, her hand waving toward the tables around us. "People are watching—let's not make a scene."
Daniel leaned in beside her, his voice soft and steady, a comforting her loud voice. "Sara, laugh a little quieter, okay?" he said, catching her eye with a gentle look, his glasses glinting under the chandelier light. "It's not good to tease someone so much, right?" His tone was warm, coaxing, and I watched Sara's face shift—her usual brash edge melting as a blush crept up her cheeks, red and lovesick, her gaze flickering to him like he'd just tamed a wild animal.
"O-okay..." she said, her voice dropping low, almost shy, as she dipped her head in a slow bow. "I'm sorry." She peeked up at Daniel, who smiled back at her, soft and genuine, his hand resting light on the table like he knew he had her wrapped around his finger.
Aeri's eyes widened, her arms folding tight across her chest as she leaned back in her chair. "Whoa... I didn't know Sara could say sorry—or listen to someone like that," she said, her tone dripping with surprise, a grin tugging at her lips.
She shot me a quick look,
"I know right." I said straight, finding it surprising myself.
Sara straightened up fast, brushing her hair back with a forced huff. "What are you saying, Aeri? I'm *always* calm and silent," she said, her voice straining to sound serious, her hands flattening on the table like she could will it into truth.
"Calm and silent?" Aeri and I said at the same time, our voices syncing up loud and sharp, disbelief ringing out. The words hit the air together, and Sara's face crumpled—she bashed her forehead onto the table with a dramatic thud, burying it in her arms, a fake crying whine escaping her.
The glasses rattled, water sloshing a little, and a few nearby diners smirked, clearly entertained.
"You'll fight gods before you ever accept you're wrong—or say sorry to anyone," Aeri said, leaning forward now, her tone teasing but pointed, her finger jabbing the air toward Sara. "This is a miracle."
"Huh! Loudspeaker's finally lowering her volume 'cause she's in love," I added, my voice dry, taunting her just enough to poke the bear. I leaned back in my chair, arms still folded, smirking as I watched her reaction. My nerves still buzzed from her earlier jabs, and I couldn't resist tossing one back.
Sara's head snapped up, one eye peeking out from her arms, glaring at me with a fire that could've melted the table.
Her lips twitched, ready to bite back, but Daniel reached over before she could, brushing a hand through her hair, his fingers gentle as they smoothed the wild strands.
"Sara's the sweetest woman I've ever met," he said, his voice calm and sure, his smile steady as he looked at her, cutting through the tension like a knife.
Her glare softened instantly, and she turned, throwing her arms around him in a quick, tight hug. "You are too," she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder, her blush deepening as she nuzzled into him.
The shift was almost comical—Sara, the human tornado, going all soft in two seconds flat.
Aeri watched them, her head tilting slow, her eyes softening as she took it in.
"Their chemistry's so good," she said quietly, almost to herself, her fingers brushing the edge of her glass, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Ours too," I said, firm and quick, leaning closer to her, my knee nudging hers under the table. My voice cut through the chatter, steady, like I needed her to hear it—feel it.
She turned to me, her eyes locking on mine, and that smile widened, warm and real, lighting up her face.