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“Oh, Avery, this is my dearest friend, Amy.” Stella motioned to the woman.
“Nice to meet you,” Avery said, shaking her hand. She felt she was getting the best friend scan. She seemed to pass the first tier because Amy let go of her hand and pulled her in for a quick hug.
“Glad to finally meet the person our Banana here has been simping over the last six months.” Amy laughed as she let go.
“Banana?” Avery questioned with a head tilt.
“Don’t ask.” Stella sighed. They moved over to the side to let someone into the shop. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Picking up my last paycheck and dropping this stuff off. It’s good timing that you came here when you did.” Avery glanced at Quinn. “Quinn, it’s so good to see you.” She leaned over for a hug. It felt awkward being around her, but she truly hoped they could be friends.
“Shit, that’s why you look so familiar. Wait, Avery was on the show, too?” Amy looked between Quinn and Stella.
Avery stiffened, realizing what she’d said.
“We can’t discuss it here, but I’ll explain.” Quinn leaned in as she spoke.
“So, you’ll meet me at my place after you drop this stuff off?” Stella ignored Amy and Quinn for a moment and focused on Avery. She was looking at her like she might disappear.
“I would like nothing more,” Avery said. “I’ll be right back, and we’ll head out.”
“I have to drop off Quinn and Amy.”
“Yeah, and we’ve got a few things to discuss on the way,” Amy grumbled. “Quinn, do you want to come over to my place, so we can gossip about these two?” She laughed.
“Be right back,” Avery called, walking towards the back for her money while the three continued discussing logistics.
Avery used the time to calm down. Seeing Stella standing there had done something to her heart. It had been so unexpected but felt like kismet at the same time. Finally, they could explore their feelings without the glare of cameras burning them. In some ways, she had no idea how their relationship would work. With such an odd start, would they find they had anything in common? Her pessimism was showing again. Grabbing the check, she returned to the café and laid eyes on Stella. Stella’s grin grew when their eyes met, and all doubt fled. This held the promise of something special.
Avery parked in the guest spot Stella had described before they separated at the coffee shop. Her eyes widened at seeing the slick, high-rise condo.
Needing to take her mind off things, Avery played a game on her phone to pass the time while waiting for Stella to arrive after dropping off Quinn and Amy.
Walking into the shop that afternoon had been surreal. Seeing Quinn and Stella together almost made her feel she was back on the show. Stella looked like she’d just gotten done fighting with dusty boxes, but Avery couldn’t take her eyes off her. She radiated sunshine, and a blossom of something too big to name had filled Avery’s chest.
Seeing Stella again had been like gulping air after being underwater for too long.
The half-hour separation was getting harder to swallow by the second, but finally, she saw Stella’s sedan pull into the spot next to her. Avery hopped out and jogged to Stella’s side of the car. A ‘mmphh’ as Stella opened the door made Avery look closer. A laugh bubbled up when she saw Stella had just tried to get out of the seat without taking off her seatbelt.
“I was apparently too excited to see you to bother with silly things like unbuckling.” Stella’s lips thinned in an embarrassed smirk.
“Want me to grab anything?” Avery offered her arms as a hook for some of the bags weighing down Stella’s hands.
“Thanks.” Stella hooked her purse and two reusable grocery bags on her wrist, where Avery buckled playfully under the weight.
They stayed silent as the elevator zoomed to a high floor. Avery was no real estate expert, but she was confident the price increased depending on the floor. Seeing the number light up at nine out of fifteen lodged an uncomfortable rock in her throat.
“Want a tour?” Stella asked after thumb-printing her way through the door.
Thumbprint. Like they had walked out of the elevator and into the future. The rock grew, now affecting Avery’s windpipe.
The room was modern, with plenty of light and large windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A cold layer of sweat coated Avery’s skin as she looked around.
“I don’t mean to be insensitive, but how can you afford this?” Avery croaked out, quickly shuffling out of her dirty shoes. Their contrast against the pristine floor nearly made her gag.
A typically endearing blush crept up Stella’s cheek; right now, though, all Avery could see was the chrome fixtures lighting up the tastefully decorated walls. Unlike her tiny studio, there was nary a trinket out of place.
“My grandparents were well off, then my parents only enhanced the wealth. I’ve been lucky in that my nana was always super supportive of me. My parents bought this condo as an investment. Yeah, I don’t have to pay anything, but I also won’t reap the benefits when it sells.” Stella hovered in the living room. “Do you want a tour or something to drink?” Her tentative tone made it seem she wasn’t sure if she should offer the door. It broke something inside Avery, who needed to overcome being overwhelmed.
