Clara's POV:

I sat in the corner booth of the restaurant, watching Audrey rush in with an apologetie smile plastered across herface.

"Sorry, I'm late, Clara."

Audrey slid into the seat across from me, setting her purse beside her chair."Got held up at the gallery for a bit."

"No worrles, I just got here myself."

The waiter approached with menus, asking if we'd like to order drinks.1was about to order a glass of white wine when Audrey Immediately shook her head.

"Just water, thanks." She said it with a flash of wariness in her eyes.

"That's unusual-you're actually turning down alcohol?" Iasked curiously.

Audrey's cheeks flushed slightly. "I got absolutely hammered last night.Just thinking about booze gives me a headache."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like someone had a wild night."

"Don't even go there." Audrey covered her face wvith her hands,but l could tell her embarrassment went deeper than just a hangover.

After we ordored. I kept stealing glances at Audrey, wrestling with how to bring up what was really on my mind.

She'd always been sharp as a tack, able to read me like an open book.

"You want to know about Finley, don't you?" Audrey suddenly cut straight to the chase.

I felt my cheeks burn. "Is it that obvious?"

"Clara, how long have we known each other? Those eyes of yours couldn't keep a secret if your life depended on it." Audrey smiled knowingly.

I looked down at my salad and nodded. "It's nothing major, really. I just wondered how he's been doing lately."

"He's doing well-opened a gallery in London, business is booming."Audrey said it casually. "Always has women throwing themselves at him,but he's still flying solo."

"That's good." I tried to keep my voice steady. "As long as he's happy."

Audrey set down her menu and looked me straight in the eye.

"If you care so much about Finley, why don't you just ask him yourself?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "I tried reaching out, but he must've changed his number. I sent several messages that went absolutely nowhere-total radio silence."

Noticing the dejection in my eyes, Audrey gently patted my hand. "He just got back yesterday, and it's been ages since the three of us hung out.If you want, I could arrange a little reunion."

"Really?" I looked up, hope sparking in my chest.

Audrey nodded with a smile. "Let's make it tomorrow at lunch. I'll handle the coordination."

I felt a rush of excitement, then uncertainty crept in. "Are you sure?

Would Finley even want to see me?"

"Don't be ridiculous-it's not like you and Finley have bad blood." Audrey shook her head, laughing. "We were the three musketeers back in the day.He'd definitely be stoked to see you."

Hearing Audrey's reassurance, I felt a flutter of anticipation bloom in my chest.

The next day at noon.

Audrey and I arrived early at that nostalgic Brooklyn barbecue joint.

The brick walls wwere covered with vintage records and retro posters, and the air was thick with the mouth-watering aroma of grilled meat.

"Do you think he'll actually show?" I asked nervously, constantly fussing with my hair and clothes.

"Relax, if he said he'd come, he'll come." Audrey tried to reassure me.though her eyes betrayed a hint of uncertainty too.

Minutes ticked by with no sign of Finley.

My gaze kept drifting to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Without realizing it, my mind wandered back to high school,to the first time I laid eyes on Finley.

It was at the school art exhibition. He was standing in front of this massive abstract painting, completely absorbed.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting perfect shadows across his

profile. In that moment. I swear my heart skipped a beat.

From that day forward, I pretended not to look at him while stealing glances every chance I got.

The hallways he walked, his favorite corners, the coffee shop he frequented-I had it all memorized down to the last detail.

Just then, the door swung open and Finley walked in.

He wore a black leather jacket and jeans, looking effortlessly cool. Still a total head-turner, just with more mature vibes than before.

My hands involuntarily clenched, and my heart started racing.

His eyes swept the restaurant, and when they landed on me, his expression seemed to freeze for a split second before he walked over.

"Hey, Clara." He nodded in greeting, his voice carrying a hint of the distance that comes with years apart.

"Long time no see, Finley." I fought to stay comnposed.

"A barbecue joint?" Finley turned to Audrey, raising an eyebrow."I figured you'd pick some swanky Upper East Side spot."

Audrey shrugged. "Gotta mix thingsup sometimes,right?"

"Looks like our Audrey's gone budget-conscious on us." Finley teased with a playful smirk.

My stomach dropped, and I couldn't help but worry about Audrey's financial situation after her falling-out with the Bailey family.

She'd never complained to me about money troubles, but I knew what

walking away from the Bailey family meant in terms of lost privileges and resources.

I nervously tried to jump to Audrey's defense. "The food here is actually amazing, and the atmosphere is really unique."

Finley caught my concern and chuckled, shaking his head. "Chill out, Clara.I'm just pulling her leg."

He turned to Audrey. " Audrey's hardly strapped for cash. She could sell a single painting for jaw-dropping money."

"Thanks for the PSA, but my bank account status isn't really your business to advertise." Audrey rolled her eyes, though she was smiling.

I felt the tension ease as I watched their familiar banter. A warm feeling washed over me.

This was exactly how I remembered them-never cutting each other any slack, but always having each other's backs.

Just as we were hitting our stride, Audrey's phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen and her face immediately went serious.

"There's an emergency at the gallery-Noah got hurt." She jumped up,grabbing her bag. "I have to go right now. I'm so sorry, you two carry on."

After Audrey left, the restaurant suddenly felt dead quiet, leaving Finley and me staring at each other awkwardly.

"So..." I started uncomfortably.

"So..." Finley said at the exact same time, and we both cracked up,breaking the ice.

My brain went into overdrive, desperately searching for something to talk about with Finley.

We used to be thick as thieves, but after years apart, we felt like complete strangers.

"Do you know how Audrey's search for her birth parents is going?" I asked. "Has she made any progress?"

Finley shook his head. "I don't think she's seriously looking. Audrey doesn't really open up to me about that stuff-you know how she is,always keeping her most personal business locked away."

"Yeah, she's always been like that." I nodded, and we fell into another awkward silence.

I tried again to get a conversation going."S,how are things with your family-"

"Can we not go there?" Finley suddenly cut me off, his voice carrying a harsh edge I'd never heard before.

The awkwardness hung between us like an invisible wall.

Finley lifted his glass and downed it in one gulp, then immediately poured himself another.

"Want a drink?"