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Lucy turned her back to the balcony. “And Joan might have asked if you were pregnant.”

Alex blotted her nose quickly with the tissue, her eyes unwavering from the big white 16 on Mark’s back. Don’t turn around. Don’t catch us…

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.” She played with the charm. “I absolutely adore this. It symbolizes our first date, Mark’s Vespa rules—‘hop on, hold tight, and remember to enjoy the ride’. I love it, I really do—”

“But it’s not what you expected.” Lucy frowned.

“Am I fooling myself? I’ve been so stupid. Mark’s already spoken for—he’s married to his job, not me.”

“Oh, babe.”

“I’m holding on, making sacrifices…for what? Every time commitment—a proper commitment—is mentioned, he chokes.” Alex’s eyes bounced to Lucy. “You’ve just seen it.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for your anniversary.”

“I’m getting tired of waiting. Nothing’s going to change.”

“It’s only a few days away, Lex.”

“I’m tired of missing out on normal couple stuff, you know, everyday things? Waking up together, quick kisses in the kitchen, making each other laugh after a tough day. I even miss going to yoga class with him, and I hate yoga.” Alex winced, watching the balcony again. “And after weeks apart, we’re back together—briefly. Our reunions are always so bittersweet, so fleeting, like there’s a stopwatch on us, counting the minutes we’ve got left before he has to leave again. It doesn’t play nicely with my anxiety. I worry if I bend any more, I’ll break.”

“It’s like you only get to borrow him for a little while and then have to give him back whenever showbiz calls.”

“He says yes to everyone but me, Lucy. I’m starting to feel like I’m wasting my time, living like this, with him half in, half out. I’m not happy.”

The white 16 turned around. Mark rushed through the sliding door, a toothy grin growing brighter with each step closer. Alex’s stomach rolled. This conversation had to end—stat.

Lucy shrugged. “Maybe you should tell Mar—”

“Tell Mark what?” He playfully cocked his head. “Mouse, take your parka off—stay a while.” He whisked her coat from her bowed shoulders and hung it on the back of a chair. Alex tugged on the hem of her blouse where it stuck out from underneath her sweater.

Lucy jumped in—rescuing her friends this holiday season had become her new M.O. “I was saying to Lex that she should tell you how much she loves her new dress. All she can talk about is that scooter charm. It’s lovely.” Lucy winked. “Most blokes are clueless, but you know her so well.”

Alex nodded, the desire to give Lucy a huge kiss, top of mind.

“Well, I thought I did,” said Mark with a sly smile. “Recently, I’ve been having doubts.”

Doubts?Alex swallowed.

Mark curled his arm around her waist. “Living together, I’ve realized there’s a ton of stuff I don’t know about her. Every once in a while, something sneaks out.”

“Oh, I could add to this list…” Lucy played along.

“There’s a list?” Alex raised her eyebrows.

Lucy winked. “You are a freak, seriously.”

“I’m a freak?” The knots in Alex’s shoulders began to loosen.

Mark leaned into Lucy. “You know her Paddington Bear? She doesn’t just hug him, she sniffs him—deeply. He smells like morning breath.”

Alex frowned in protest. “He doesn’t. He smells like home.”

“If home is a dumpster.”

“Well, sometimes I think you grew up in a barn, Keegan. You wear your boots around the flat, never wash out your mug, and…you eat and shower at the same time.”

Lucy’s eyes bulged. “How?”