= Sarah POV =
I wasn't tired, so I decided to focus on work. With Chris out of a job, the responsibility of rent fell on me, and I needed to act quickly. I set about creating a website for commissions, something I'd been putting off for ages.
I knew I could just reach out to Ms Fairfield, a senior. However, Chris refused to allow anyone to share what she was going through with her mom, so die-die, we had to make up the costs somehow.
I shared the website across my social media and streaming community page, announcing that I was open to taking up to twenty commissions for this first round.
To my surprise and relief, three responses came within the hour. After discussing their requests, I set timelines and prices based on the level of detail and time required. Two clients accepted immediately, and the third needed more time to decide. It was a start—small, but promising.
By the time I finalized the details, the day had slipped into late afternoon. I peeked into my room to check on Chris. She was still asleep, her breathing deep and steady. Cooking wasn't an option—I'd learned the hard way that it wasn't my forte—so I ordered burgers and fries for dinner.
At around six, I heard my bedroom door creak open. Chris emerged slowly, her eyes scanning the room as if she'd woken in another world. I was plating the food when she stepped into the apartment fully, her movements hesitant and her gaze wide with disbelief.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked, walking around the counter toward her.
She turned sharply at my voice, then rushed toward me, wrapping me in a fierce hug.
"Oh my god," she murmured into my hair. "This is real. What the hell?"
"Chris, calm down. You're okay," I said, pulling back gently to look at her.
Her words tumbled out in a rush. "I had the worst dream. You left, the house was trashed, I lost my job, Ruby hated me for ruining the café, and I was bonding with Amber over…horrible stuff." She paused as I led her to a bar stool. "But it wasn't real, right? The house is fine. You're here. Everything's okay."
Her hand drifted to her head, fingers freezing as she touched her uneven hair.
"No," I said gently, sitting across from her. "It wasn't a dream. Everything happened. I called Ms. Takahashi to fix the house. And Ruby doesn't hate you, but you owe her an apology. Drinking on the job isn't exactly good workplace behaviour."
Chris's hand fell to her lap. "I cut my hair," she said, her voice distant. "I couldn't find scissors, so I used a knife." She stared at her hands, then added quietly, "I bet you think I'm ugly now. You always loved my hair."
"Your hair was beautiful," I admitted, smiling softly. "But honestly, I think you'd look amazing with a wolf cut."
Her eyes lifted, a spark of hope breaking through her despondency. "Really? You think that'd suit me?"
"Definitely. But you'll have to quit smoking first," I teased, wrinkling my nose. "Kissing a smoker isn't exactly pleasant for someone who doesn't smoke."
Chris clapped a hand over her mouth, mumbling an apology before rushing to the bathroom. I followed, grinning as she furiously brushed her teeth, gargled water, and rinsed again for good measure.
"See? Clean," she said, flashing me a bright smile. "Now, will you kiss me?"
I laughed, stepping closer and pulling her down for a soft kiss. "Much better," I said, breaking away. "Now let's eat."
We sat at the island, sharing dinner in relative quiet. Chris seemed lighter, more present, but her mood dipped again after we finished. While I cleaned up, she sprawled on the couch, staring at the ceiling as though lost in thought.
"What's on your mind?" I asked, sitting beside her and patting her knee.
She sat up slowly, crossing her legs. "After you left, I realized…everything I was doing, everything I thought I wanted, was tied to you. Without you, I didn't know who I was anymore. I kept climbing the corporate ladder because it impressed people—my friends, my mom, even you. But I don't think it ever made me happy. I've envied Ruby and Heather for ages, with the café and their quiet success. I don't know what I want anymore, Sarah. For the first time, I don't have a plan."
Her vulnerability caught me off guard. "I didn't realize you felt that way. You always seemed to love your job."
Chris shook her head. "I loved how it made me look—competent, successful, in control. But deep down, it didn't mean anything. And when I lost you, I realized how little I'd built for myself. I want to change, but I don't know where to start."
I nodded thoughtfully. "Well, figuring out what you love might be a good place to start."
Chris smiled faintly. "For now, I just want to be your friend. I owe you that much after everything."
"That's going to be tough," I said, meeting her gaze. "Because after the last few weeks, I've realized I don't want to be just friends with you either."
Her eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing in shock. "What?"
I smiled, reaching for her hand. "It's complicated, but I've been sorting through my feelings. For years, I couldn't figure out what was missing. Now I see it wasn't about what you weren't giving—it's that you weren't being true to yourself. But seeing you try, seeing your passion even in your mistakes…it's made me rethink everything."
Chris looked at me, her expression a mix of hope and disbelief. "So, what now?"
"I don't have all the answers," I admitted. "But I'm staying. We'll figure it out together."
Chris exhaled slowly, leaning into me. "You're my home," she murmured.
"And you're mine," I replied, resting my head against hers as the tension between us melted away just a little bit.
Continued in Book 4
Thank you for reading!