Mia laughed as Sienna threw her arms around her in a tight hug. She hugged her best friend back, smiling wide as they swayed playfully. It had been so long since she'd laughed like this—a genuine, unrestrained laugh that didn't feel like she was forcing herself to be happy.

"I am so proud of you, Mia!" Sienna exclaimed, cupping Mia's cheeks playfully before bursting into laughter. "You deserve this role more than anyone. Go and own the cinema!" She hugged Mia again, spinning her slightly.

"This calls for a proper celebration!" Nyx chimed in, shaking a champagne bottle before popping it open with a flourish. The foam sprayed everywhere, eliciting playful shrieks and laughter. "You deserve this, Mia. Way to go, superstar!" she teased, pointing dramatically at her.

Mia chuckled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and joy as the room filled with applause and cheers.

"Wow, my best bud is going to be a movie star now?!" Riley exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Mia's shoulder.

Mia glanced at Riley, smirking. "Come on, it's nothing new. Of course, it's not a surprise. Hello? I'm Mia Tran!" she quipped, winking playfully.

Their laughter echoed into the afternoon as they reveled in the moment. The private beach resort Mia had rented for the celebration provided the perfect backdrop, the sound of waves blending with their joy.

Later, as the others continued to enjoy themselves, Mia found herself seated on a swing, her phone in hand. She glanced at the screen, scrolling aimlessly. Isn't she coming? she wondered, her gaze darting around. Ashley hadn't called or texted, and Mia shrugged to herself.

Maybe she's not coming. It's not like she's obligated... we barely know each other anyway. She chuckled quietly, leaning back and letting her head rest against the chain of the swing. The faint laughter from the group felt distant as she closed her eyes, soaking in the cool breeze.

"I thought this was supposed to be a celebration. Why are you out here alone?"

Mia's eyes shot open, her body stiffening. Ashley stood behind her, looking down with a raised brow and a hint of a smirk.

Clearing her throat, Mia sat up straight. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice betraying a mix of surprise and... something else she couldn't quite name.

Ashley scoffed, stepping around to stand in front of her. With one hand tucked casually in her pocket, she extended her other hand, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. "You invited me, so I came," she said, shrugging nonchalantly. "Here, for you."

Mia blinked, staring at the bouquet before glancing up at Ashley's face. She swallowed. "W-what's this for?"

Ashley chuckled. "I didn't know what else to get you," she admitted, her tone softening. "Thought a little congratulatory gift was in order. I heard you're starring in an action movie now. Congratulations, Mia." She smiled warmly, nudging the bouquet gently toward her.

Mia bit her lip, her fingers brushing against the sunflowers as she took them. "Thank you," she murmured, barely above a whisper.

Ashley tilted her head. "So... why are you out here? Thought you'd be front and center, soaking up all the fun."

Mia let out a nervous laugh. "I just wanted a bit of alone time," she lied, clutching the bouquet.

Ashley crouched down, resting her arms on her knees as her grin widened. "Or maybe you were waiting for me, sugarplum?"

Mia's eyes widened in shock. Before she could stop herself, she swatted Ashley's head lightly with the bouquet. "Stop with the nicknames!" she said, frowning, though her lips twitched in amusement.

Ashley laughed, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "What? It's cute," she teased. Shrugging, she added, "Sorry for being late. Detective life—it's all about answering calls at the worst times."

Mia rolled her eyes. "I wasn't asking for an explanation," she muttered.

"Just thought I'd let you know," Ashley replied, still grinning. "You were waiting for me anyway."

"I was not!" Mia huffed, her cheeks warming. "Dream on! And for the record, I'm straight."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, standing up. "Okay... and?" she said with a casual laugh. "I wasn't asking anything about that. You're overthinking, sugarplum."

Mia gulped, trying to compose herself. "I'm just making things clear," she mumbled.

"Point taken," Ashley said, smirking. "But this is your party. You should be out there having fun, not hiding out here like some brooding loner."

Mia couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. "You're impossible, Detective."

"And you're predictable," Ashley quipped, offering a hand to help Mia up. "Come on, superstar. Let's get you back to the celebration where you belong."



Ashley stood leaning against a corner post, her bottle of beer in hand, watching Mia dance with Sienna, Zoey, and Vera. Their playful laughter carried over to her, making her lips curl into an involuntary smile as she took another sip.

"I know that smile."

Ashley nearly choked on her drink, sputtering as Nyx suddenly appeared beside her.

"Jesus, Nyx!" Ashley exclaimed, clearing her throat and glaring at her friend.

Nyx smirked, unfazed. "You've been staring at Mia," she teased, arms crossed.

"I have not," Ashley shot back, rolling her eyes and taking another sip.

"You totally have," Nyx said matter-of-factly, following Ashley's gaze toward the group. "You can keep denying it, but I know you, Ash."

Ashley groaned, shaking her head. "Stop pestering me, Nyx," she muttered, though her lips twitched in amusement.

Nyx chuckled, leaning against the post. "How long has it been, Ash? You haven't been in another relationship since, right? Is this some weird friendship goals thing you've got going on?"

Ashley scoffed, side-eyeing her. "You're already married, so where's the friendship goals in that, idiot?"

Nyx laughed, nudging her with her elbow. "Touché. But seriously, go find someone you can marry. You deserve it."

Ashley cleared her throat, her expression shifting. "Have you ever thought that maybe... I shouldn't date her? Like, I could ruin everything—what if the three of us can't hang out anymore? What if things get... complicated?" She twirled the neck of her beer bottle, avoiding Nyx's gaze.

Nyx shrugged. "I could still see you both whenever I wanted to," she said lightly. Then, after a pause, her tone softened. "Look, Ash, I know what happened between you two. But no, I never thought you shouldn't have dated her. You both loved each other back then. Who am I to ruin that?" She offered a small smile, though there was a hint of something bittersweet in her tone.

Ashley let out a hollow laugh. "Yeah, well, she spent years in a relationship with me, but in the end, she's marrying someone else." She shook her head, her laugh fading.

Nyx froze, her brows knitting together as she turned fully to face Ashley. "Wait. What did you just say? She's getting married?"

Ashley clicked her tongue, taking another sip of her beer before nodding. "Yup. Guess who the lucky guy is?"

Nyx frowned, leaning closer. "Don't tell me it's you," she said, half-joking.

Ashley laughed, but the sound was brittle. "Hell no," she said, shaking her head and clearing her throat. "She's marrying my brother, Azriel. Funny, right? A year after we broke up, they got together. Now she's going to be my sister-in-law."

Nyx's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Holy shit! Are you serious?"

Ashley chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Yeah. Crazy, huh? I don't even know if Az knows about my past with her. Honestly, I doubt it."

"That's... absurd," Nyx muttered, still processing.

"It is," Ashley said, her voice laced with a quiet bitterness. "It really is."