Chapter 23: Bittersweet Bites
The room was alive with warmth—clinking forks, laughter, the rich scent of vanilla and chocolate swirling through the air. But Jake couldn't hear any of it.
Not when she was standing there.
Lisa smiled brightly as Alya pulled her forward. "Everyone," Alya beamed, "this is my best friend, Lisa—and her boyfriend, Jacob."
Jacob gave a small wave. "Hey. Nice to meet you all."
Lisa's eyes wandered over the familiar faces until they landed on Jake. Her smile softened.
"Jake," she said, stepping closer. "You look… different. In a good way."
Jake forced a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Different how? Like a cave troll or just slightly less hobo?"
Lisa chuckled. "Muscular. Stronger."
Alya perked up instantly, eyes wide with excitement. "Right?! I told him! Jake looks so much stronger now—and he totally beat up some troublemakers the other day!"
Lisa blinked. "Wait, what?"
Alya turned and lowered her voice. "Yeah… Jake and Alex are the ones who saved me. Some punks tried to wreck the shop, but they fought them off. It was insane. Jake's, like… low-key heroic now."
Lisa's eyes flicked to Jake, impressed. "I didn't know that."
Jake just shrugged, eyes on the floor. "Wasn't a big deal."
Alex, standing behind him, caught the flicker in Jake's expression—the way he smiled, but his eyes didn't. He said nothing, but his brows furrowed. He knew that look. Jake was hurting.
Lisa and Jacob moved around the room, meeting everyone. Eventually, they sat at one of the tables near Jake, digging into a slice of Alya's signature strawberry cake.
"Want a bite?" Lisa asked, holding up a fork to Jacob with a teasing grin.
He leaned in and took it with exaggerated slowness. "Delicious," he said. "But not as sweet as you."
Everyone nearby groaned playfully, but Jake didn't laugh.
He tried.
He really did.
But watching Lisa and Jacob share an ice cream, nudge each other, even whisper and laugh like no one else existed—was like chewing glass.
Still, he smiled.
Still, he nodded along with conversations.
Still, he laughed when someone brought up the gym's tug-of-war championship.
But Alex saw the clenched jaw, the way Jake kept avoiding looking directly at Lisa for too long.
And when no one was watching, Alex put a quiet hand on his shoulder.
No words.
Just a reminder.
I see you.