𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲

                                    

                                          
The car hums steadily as we cruise down the highway, the rhythm of the tires against the asphalt lulling me into a comfortable daze. 
Behind me, Ansley was flipping through her phone, her fingers tapping away like a metronome, while Nicholas drove, his hand casually resting on the gear shift. 
I turn my gaze to the window, watching the scenery blur into a patchwork of greens and browns. "We are close." I say, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Very close." Nicholas replies, a smile playing on his lips as his eyes dart to the GPS. "You ready to see Grace?" Ansley chimes in. "More than ready." 
"Don't forget to mention how you almost stole Vic's  boyfriend." Ansley teases, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Ha! Very funny," I shoot back, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress a laugh.
    
Nicholas glances at me, his expression serious yet soft. "You know I chose you, right?" The weight creates a bubble in my throat, and for a moment, I feel the warmth of his gaze settle over me like a blanket. I nod, a flutter of nerves and excitement dancing in my stomach. "Good." I say, in a whisper like tone
    
We pull into the driveway, the familiar sight of the house sending a wave of nervousness crashing over me. I could almost hear almost hear screams, finally meeting the man I have fawned over for months. 
"Ready?" I ask, turning back head slightly to look at Ansley and looking back at Nicholas.
"Let's go!" Ansley shouts, unable to contain her enthusiasm. I leap out of the car and rush to the door, my heart pounding. I knock, my breath hitching in anticipation. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing Grace with her hair in a messy bun and a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"Jayde!" She shrieks, throwing her arms around me. "You're here!" "Surprise!" I laugh, squeezing her tightly. She pulls back, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she took in my companions. 
"Ansley.. and.." Grace's eyebrows shoot up, and she turns to me, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "You two cleared the air, right?" Nicholas shift slightly beside me, and I feel a wave of warmth wash over me as I glance at him. 
"Um, yeah, we talked." I explain, trying to keep my tone light. "So, who did you choose?" Graces eyes shooting at Nicholas. "Grace!" I laugh, swatting her arm. 
    
Nicholas chuckles, shaking his head. "Who do you think? I'm here aren't I." His eyes shift to me. My lips curving into a smile.
"God, you two were complicated. It sounds like you two came straight out of a rom-com. Grace says, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Are you happy with your decision?" Graces asks, crossing her arms against her chest. "I am." He replies, grabbing my hand. "Good! Let's celebrate!" Grace declares, pulling me inside.
    
Hunger sets in and we decide to go out.
The restaurant shimmers with chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the elegantly set tables. We settle into our seats, the ambiance full with laughter and clinking glasses. 
"Wow, Jayde, you really know how to pick a place." Ansley says, glancing around in awe.
"I used to come here all the time with Grace." I reply, feeling the nostalgia wash over me again. 
    
Grace leans in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "So, are you two going to wait for dessert and tonight?" She winks causing Nicholas to choke on his water, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Grace." I say. Ansley laughs.
The waiter approaches, and we order our meals, the conversation flowing as easily as the wine. As the courses arrive, I caught small glimpses of Nicholas stealing glances at me, my heart fluttering each time our eyes met.
"You know, Nicholas took Jayde away from me on the first day." Ansley laughs, twirling her fork around the noodles that sat on her plate.
"Oh, come on." I laugh, recalling the situation in my head. "He seemed more educated in the film world." I laugh. "Wow" Ansley gasps, leaning forward. "I am so educated!" She pauses and takes a bite. "On.. other things." 
As the evening wore on, the atmosphere shifts.
I catch Nicholas watching me more and more, his gaze intense, and I felt my cheeks warm under his scrutiny.
"Do you ever think about what could have happened if things went differently?" He asks suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over us. Ansley and grace in their own conversation.
"Like if we never had that one night?" I ask, holding his gaze. "Yeah." He nods slowly, his voice low. "What if we never slept together, just kept it.. friendly." I bite my lip, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. "Sometimes I do. But I think we needed to go through that to get to where we are now."
    
Nicholas leans closer, the air between us thickening. "So, where do we go from here?"
I swallow hard, my heart racing. "I don't know. But I want to find out."
    
The night wore on, and after dinner, we found ourselves walking along a nearby pier, the moonlight dancing on the water. Grace and Ansley drifts ahead, their laughter ringing out through the night, but Nicholas and I lingere a few steps behind.
"Are you happy?" Nicholas stops, turning to face me fully. "I want to be happy with you, Nicholas. But it's going to take time." He reaches out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "I'm willing to wait."
    
His eyes holds mine, and in that moment, everything felt electric. I could feel the world around us fading away, leaving just the two of us suspended in time. 
    
As we walk back to the car, the tension between us felt lighter, more hopeful. "Hey, can we stop for ice cream on the way back?" Grace calls from the back seat, her voice brimming with excitement. "Only if you promise to share a banana split with me, like when we were kids." I shot back, grinning.
"Deal!" she laughs. Nicholas and I exchange a glance, and I felt a sense of unity between us. Whatever the future held, I knew we would face it together. "Okay, let's go!" I say, my heart full as we drive off into the night.