THE RECONCILIATION
The rooftop terrace was quiet, lit only by warm lights and the distant glow of the city below. Jay stood near the railing, arms wrapped around herself, the cool evening breeze brushing past her. She'd come here to think — to calm the storm in her head.
She didn't hear Keifer at first.
"I figured you'd be here," he said gently.
Jay didn't turn around. "You always know my hiding spots."
"Yeah," he replied softly. "You never liked crowded places when you were upset."
That made her chest tighten.
There was a pause. Then he stepped closer, careful, like he was afraid she might disappear again.
"I'm sorry," Keifer said. "Not just for today. For every time I didn't speak up when I should have."
Jay finally faced him. "I hate feeling like I'm competing with you just to exist in the same space."
"You're not," he said immediately. "You never were."
She shook her head. "That's easy for you to say."
Keifer exhaled slowly. "When I stood there today and heard them talk like that… I realized something." He met her eyes. "They see me as the name. But you? You're the brain. The backbone. The reason half these ideas even work."
Jay swallowed. "Then why did it feel like you let them erase me?"
"Because I was scared," he admitted. "Scared of rocking the boat. Scared of messing things up. And I chose wrong."
Silence stretched between them, heavy but honest.
Jay's voice softened. "I don't want to lose myself in all of this, Keifer. Or lose us."
He stepped closer, careful not to touch her unless she wanted it. "Then don't. I won't let you. And if I ever make you feel small again…" He paused. "You call me out. Deal?"
She studied his face — no arrogance, no teasing. Just sincerity.
"…Deal," she said quietly.
A small smile broke across his face, relieved. "Good."
She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "You really would've stepped back today?"
"Without a second thought," he said. "Because success without you doesn't mean anything to me."
Her eyes stung.
"You're really unfair sometimes," she whispered.
He smiled faintly. "You love me anyway."
Jay laughed softly, shaking her head. "Unfortunately."
She stepped closer, resting her forehead lightly against his chest. Keifer stiffened for a second — then relaxed completely, one arm coming around her, warm and steady.
They stayed like that for a moment, letting the tension fade.
"Next time," Jay said, muffled, "we talk first."
He nodded. "Always."
The city lights shimmered below them, and for the first time since the misunderstanding, things felt right again — not perfect, but honest.
And that was enough