Aria Lane woke up with a stupid, ridiculous grin on her face.
The kind of grin that only comes from kissing someone you swore you hated… and realizing you maybe, possibly, definitely didn't.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Gwen: Tell. Me. Everything.
Aria groaned, flopping back against her pillows.
Me: Nothing happened.
Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then reappeared.
Gwen: Liar. I saw you two on his Insta story. You were smiling. In public.*
Aria cursed under her breath.
She'd forgotten about that.
Last night after… everything, Ethan had insisted on walking her back again. Somewhere between the second kiss and stealing her fries at a late-night diner, he'd posted a picture of them together — blurry, half-lit by neon lights, but unmistakable.
And Aria had been smiling.
At him.
God, she was doomed.
She was about to text back when a knock sounded at her apartment door.
Speak of the devil.
Aria swung it open to find Gwen standing there, messy bun, leggings, and murder in her eyes.
"I brought coffee and questions," Gwen declared, pushing past her.
Aria sighed, shutting the door. "Subtle as ever."
"Don't 'subtle' me. Spill. Everything. I want times, locations, number of kisses, any shirtless moments—"
"Gwen!"
Her best friend plopped onto the couch, kicking her feet up. "Look, I've had to listen to you whine about Ethan Cole for months. I've earned this."
Aria groaned, snatching one of the coffees.
"We kissed," she admitted quietly.
Gwen's eyes widened. "Multiple times?"
Aria took a long sip.
"I knew it!" Gwen practically did a victory lap around the living room. "And?"
"And… we agreed no more games."
"And how do you feel?"
Aria hesitated. Then, softly, "Terrified. But also… good."
Gwen's grin softened. "I'm happy for you, babe. Seriously."
Before Aria could get too sappy about it, Gwen's phone buzzed.
Her friend's face twisted into a mix of shock and delight.
"Oh my God, you need to see this."
She handed the phone over.
It was a post in the company group chat.
BREAKING: Charlotte Evans and Marcus Ford caught making out in the copy room by Security at 2 a.m.
Attached was a blurry security cam pic — Charlotte's blonde hair unmistakable as she kissed Marcus, the head of marketing.
Aria nearly choked on her coffee. "No way."
"They hated each other," Gwen cackled. "This week is unhinged."
Another notification popped up.
Ethan Cole: Looks like we're not the only enemies-to-lovers around here.
Aria flushed, grinning despite herself.
Gwen leaned over her shoulder. "You two are so screwed."
Aria laughed. "Probably."
But for once, she wasn't running from it.
And honestly?
She kind of couldn't wait to see what happened next.....