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And goddammit, she sounded so genuine, like she was happy for Kiera.

“I don’t know if I’m going to take it yet,” Kiera admitted.

“If you do, I support you completely,” Izzy said.

The words hit deeper than Kiera expected. Her throat tightened, but she didn’t let the silence stretch too long. “Thank you. That really does mean a lot.” She cleared her throat, shifting in the seat. “And you? How’s Maggie doing?”

Izzy let out a shaky sigh. “It’s not easy, but I think she’s doing a little better every day.”

“And you? Are you okay?”

Another pause. “It’s still heavy here, and there’s still a lot to figure out,” Izzy admitted quietly. “But hearing your voice helps.”

Something twisted low in Kiera’s ribs. “Yours, too.”

A high-pitched wail broke through the uncomfortable quiet on the line, and then Izzy cursed under her breath. “Um, Rosie just took a header. Can we talk later?”

“Of course,” Kiera said. “Give Rosie a kiss for her owwie. Those always help.”

Izzy agreed, and as they hung up, Kiera was left with a strange mix of emotions — guilt still coiled low in her stomach, but also something like relief. Kiera stared at her phone for a moment, the sound of Izzy’s voice still echoing softly in her head. She exhaled and pressed the phone to her chest, letting the quiet fill the room around her. Everything still felt fragile, still unsettled, but Izzy hadn’t immediately pulled away. Maybe if she took this job, they could still figure things out between them. it felt like a small anchor in the middle of all the unknowns.

Pete named the conversation, “date court™”.

Pete

WAIT

HOLD ON

Maggie

What now.

Pete

I JUST REALIZED SOMETHING

I NEVER ASKED HOW THE DATE WENT

Maggie

…???

Maggie

WHAT DATE.

Maggie

EXCUSE ME.

Danica

Oh wow. I was NOT expecting this to be the scandal of the day but I’m invested.

Kiera

Pete. It is after midnight.